Reygan and Lancaster (Child support)

Reygan and Lancaster concerned a dispute regarding the percentage of care for a child. The matter came before the court following an application to review decisions made by the Child Support Registrar concerning the child’s care arrangements.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child, which would necessitate a revocation of existing percentage of care determinations and the making of new ones. The court was also required to determine the appropriate date from which any new care percentage decision should take effect.

In reaching its decision, the court considered the evidence presented regarding the actual and likely future care arrangements for the child. The court applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth) concerning changes in the pattern of care. The court found that a significant change in the likely pattern of care had occurred and that the existing determinations were no longer reflective of the reality of the child’s living arrangements. Consequently, the court set aside the Registrar's decisions and substituted its own determinations regarding the percentage of care.