RYAN & RAMAKERS

In the matter of *Ryan & Ramakers*, heard by Judge Obradovic, the dispute concerned parenting orders for four children. The hearing proceeded undefended, with the mother seeking orders for sole parental responsibility and the children to live with her, and crucially, that the children spend no time with the father.

The central legal issue before the court was whether to make final orders for sole parental responsibility for the mother, with the children living with her and having no time with the father, in circumstances where the father did not appear or defend the proceedings.

Judge Obradovic considered the evidence presented by the mother. The court's reasoning, though not detailed in the provided text, would have involved an assessment of the children's best interests in accordance with the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). In an undefended hearing, the court must still be satisfied that the orders sought are appropriate and in the children's best interests, even in the absence of opposition. The court's decision to grant the orders indicates it was satisfied on the evidence presented.

The court made final orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility for the children, ordering that the children live with the mother, and that the children spend no time with the father. All outstanding issues were removed from the list of cases awaiting finalisation.