RALEIGH & PAULEY

In the matter of *Raleigh & Pauley*, Judge McGuire determined property settlement and spousal maintenance orders between the parties. The dispute concerned the division of assets and liabilities and the extent of the husband's obligation to provide spousal maintenance to the wife.

The court was required to consider the contributions of each party to the marriage and the future needs of both parties in determining an equitable property settlement. Furthermore, the court had to assess the wife's entitlement to spousal maintenance, particularly in light of her apparent lack of reasonable effort to contribute to her own support. The court also had to determine the appropriate approach to asset pooling and the allocation of various business interests and real estate.

Judge McGuire ordered the husband to make a lump sum cash payment of $117,447 to the wife and to transfer various assets to her, including two properties, bank accounts, vehicles, trailers, personalty, and her superannuation. In return, the wife was to transfer her interests in a group of companies and trusts, including F Pty Ltd and associated entities, to the husband, along with other specified assets. The husband was also ordered to be solely responsible for certain liabilities, including capital gains tax and liabilities incurred since separation, while the wife was to be solely responsible for other liabilities, including a home loan and liabilities incurred since separation. The court further ordered the husband to pay the wife spousal maintenance of $710 per week for a period of twelve months. These orders were intended to finally determine the financial relationship between the parties.