Roger & Page

In the matter of *Roger & Page*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between the parents concerning the living arrangements for their two children, aged four and a half and seven. The wife sought orders regarding the children's residence, while the husband also raised a claim of promissory estoppel to prevent the wife from pursuing child support arrears.

The court was required to determine the primary issue of with whom the children should live, specifically whether an equal time arrangement between both parents was appropriate. Additionally, the court had to consider the husband's defence of promissory estoppel in relation to the wife's claim for child support arrears.

Benjamin J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged and that the parents have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were ordered to live with the wife, with specific provisions for time spent with the husband during school holidays, public holidays, and on alternate weekends during school terms. The court also declared that child support arrears amounted to $2,102.58 and ordered the husband to pay this sum to the wife within ninety days. The court further directed that counsel for the wife forward a copy of the reasons for the orders, along with specific affidavit material, to the General Manager of the Child Support Agency.