Seagal and Gage (Child support)

The case of *Seagal and Gage* concerned a dispute over the percentage of care for a child. The applicant, Seagal, sought to have the existing percentage of care determinations revoked and new determinations made. The respondent, Gage, opposed this application. The matter came before the court for review of a decision made by the Child Support Registrar.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether there had been a change to the likely pattern of care for the child. This required the court to assess the evidence presented by both parties regarding the actual care arrangements and to determine if these arrangements constituted a significant and ongoing shift from the previously determined pattern.

The court considered the evidence of both parties and applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning changes in the pattern of care. The court found that the evidence demonstrated a material change in the likely pattern of care. Consequently, the court set aside the existing percentage of care determinations and made new determinations reflecting the revised care arrangements.