Sheafer and Mellis

In *Sheafer and Mellis*, Berman J of the Family Court of Australia determined parenting arrangements for the child X, born in 2007, following a dispute between the parents. The proceedings concerned the allocation of parental responsibility and the specific time the child would spend with each parent.

The court was required to consider the best interests of the child in making orders regarding shared parental responsibility, the child's residence, and the father's time with the child. Additionally, the court addressed the need for a family consultant's report, the child's enrolment in high school, and the rights of each parent to receive information and participate in the child's education and extracurricular activities. The court also made orders concerning the notification of serious illness or injury and access to medical information.

Berman J ordered that the parties have equal shared parental responsibility for the child, with the child to live with the mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the child, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and various dates in December and January, followed by an alternating weekend arrangement commencing in February 2020. The court also ordered a family consultant's report to be prepared and directed the parties to facilitate the child's enrolment at C High School. Further orders clarified each parent's entitlement to receive information from the child's educational and medical providers, and to attend school functions.