Shovelton and Shovelton (Child support)

In *Shovelton and Shovelton*, the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute concerning the percentage of care arrangements for a child. The parties, the mother and father, had initially agreed on the care percentages, which were then formalised in court orders. However, the mother later objected to the initial decision regarding these percentages.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether it was necessary to consider the circumstances surrounding the mother's late objection to the initial decision, given the prior agreement of the parties. The Court was required to determine the appropriate course of action in light of this objection and the existing court orders.

Member J Thomson reasoned that the parties' agreement on the care percentages was a significant factor. The Court found that it was not necessary to delve into the reasons for the mother's delayed objection, as the initial agreement had been reached by both parents. Consequently, the Court set aside the initial decision and substituted it with a new order reflecting the agreed-upon care percentages.