PRINSEN & BLAIR

This matter concerned parenting orders for a 12-year-old child, [X]. The dispute arose after the mother unilaterally relocated with the child. The mother had since remarried and the child had a half-sibling. Crucially, both parents agreed that there was no risk of harm to the child in either household and that a shared care arrangement was not in the child's best interests. The case was heard by Judge Middleton.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, [X], considering the relocation, the child's age, and the parents' agreement that shared care was not suitable. The central issue was how to best promote the child's welfare and best interests in light of these circumstances.

Judge Middleton reasoned that given the child's age and the mother's relocation, it was in the child's best interests for the mother to have sole parental responsibility and for the child to live with her. The court acknowledged the father's continued involvement and established a detailed schedule for the child to spend time with him, incorporating significant blocks of time during school terms and holidays, as well as specific provisions for birthdays and communication. The orders also included detailed provisions regarding communication, the parents' conduct towards each other and the child, school reports, medical information, and overseas travel, all aimed at fostering a cooperative co-parenting relationship.

The court ordered that the mother shall have sole parental responsibility for the child, [X], and that the child shall live with the mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the child, along with provisions for liberal telephone communication, and detailed orders were made concerning the parents' conduct, information sharing, and overseas travel.