Rittman and Rittman and Anor

In the matter of *Rittman and Rittman and Anor*, Barry J of the Family Court of Australia considered orders concerning the time spent by a father with his child, O, and the parties' parental responsibility. The dispute centred on the practical arrangements for the child's care and the allocation of parental duties.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the father's time with the child, including the frequency and duration of contact, and the method of changeover. Additionally, the court had to clarify the nature of the parties' parental responsibility for the child's day-to-day care, welfare, and development. The court also addressed a specific event, a school camp, and the attendance of each parent.

Barry J made orders that, as from 13 June 2009, the father was to spend time with the child each Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, with provisions for written agreement to alter these times. Changeovers were to occur as agreed in writing, or failing that, at the child's residence, with the mother to provide the father with the collection and return address at least twenty-four hours prior via text or email. The court ordered that the mother and father have joint parental responsibility for the child's day-to-day care, welfare, and development. The father was permitted to attend the child's school camp in June 2009, while the mother was not. The court further ordered that all parties file and serve further material by 4:00 pm on 10 July 2009, and that particulars of the obligations and consequences of contravening these orders, along with information on who can assist parties, be set out in an annexed document pursuant to sections 62B and 65DA(2) of the relevant Act.