Rodham and Rodham (Child support)

The case of *Rodham and Rodham (Child support)* concerned an application for a departure determination under the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* (Cth). The dispute centred on whether the costs of a child's education constituted a ground for departure from the standard child support assessment. The matter was before the court for review of a previous decision.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the costs associated with the children's education, specifically the manner in which that education was expected by both parents, significantly affected the cost of maintaining the children, thereby establishing a ground for departure from the child support assessment.

The court reasoned that the legislative intent behind the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* allowed for departure where the costs of education, as expected by both parents, had a significant impact on the maintenance costs of the children. Applying this principle, the court found that the criteria for a departure determination had been met. Consequently, the court set aside the previous decision and substituted its own determination.