Sander and Abbey

In the matter of *Sander and Abbey*, heard by Judge Brown, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, [X] and [Y]. The court was required to make final orders regarding the children's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and the time they would spend with each parent.

The court was tasked with determining the specific orders for the children's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility for long-term and day-to-day decisions, and the detailed schedule for the children's time with each parent, including during school terms, holidays, and special occasions. Additionally, the court needed to address practical matters such as handover arrangements, communication protocols between parents, and restrictions on certain behaviours. The court also considered the children's maturity, sex, and background, and the general preferability of making final orders in children's matters.

Judge Brown reasoned that the existing arrangements, which saw the children's time with the father increase annually, were practical and in the children's best interests, reflecting their increasing maturity and evolving relationships with both parents. The court noted the parties' agreement on equal shared parental responsibility. The judge found that the mother, Ms Abbey, had some difficulty in compromising, whereas the father, Mr Sander, demonstrated a child-focused approach and willingness to compromise. The court's assessment of Mr Sander's parental capacity led it to conclude that restrictions sought by Ms Abbey were unwarranted.

The court made orders that the children live with the mother and that the parties share equal parental responsibility for long-term decisions, with each parent responsible for day-to-day decisions while the children are in their care. Detailed provisions were made for the children's time with the father, including during school terms and holidays, with gradual increases in time over several years. The orders also stipulated arrangements for special occasions, handovers, communication, and prohibited certain behaviours such as denigrating the other parent in the children's presence. The court also ordered that the parties attend mediation when the younger child turns seven to discuss future parenting arrangements.