Sarraff and Sarraff

This matter concerned parenting orders and property settlement between the parties, Mr. Sarraff (the Father) and Mrs. Sarraff (the Mother), concerning their two children, B and M. The court, presided over by Jordan J, was required to determine the living arrangements for the children, parental responsibility, and the terms of supervised contact between the Father and the children. Additionally, the court addressed property disclosure and valuation, including the Father's business.

The primary legal issues before the court were the appropriate parenting arrangements for the children, including where they would live, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the nature and extent of the Father's contact with them. The court also had to determine the procedural steps for property disclosure and the valuation of the Father's business, as well as the role of a Family Consultant in facilitating the children's understanding of the court's orders and addressing concerns.

The court ordered that the children live with the Mother and that neither parent denigrate the other in the children's presence, with both parents to actively encourage a positive relationship between the children and the other parent. The Mother was granted sole parental responsibility but was required to keep the Father informed of the children's education, health, and any changes to their living arrangements. The Father was to have supervised time with the children at a contact centre, with costs shared equally, and was permitted to telephone the children on specific evenings. The court also directed the Family Consultant to facilitate meetings with the children to explain the outcome, provide counselling, and discuss concerns regarding the Mother's partner. The Father's contravention applications were dismissed.

In relation to property, the court ordered extensive disclosure from both parties regarding their financial positions, including taxation, bank statements, superannuation, and business particulars. A valuation of the Father's business was to be obtained, with a specific process outlined for agreeing on a valuer. The matter was listed for mention and review, with parties required to file affidavits detailing their observations of progress.