Skelton and Skelton

In the matter of Skelton and Skelton, heard by Judge Burchardt, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, X and Y. The proceedings involved the Mother and Father seeking to establish orders regarding the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and related welfare matters.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of shared parental responsibility, the children's primary residence, and the detailed schedule of time each parent would spend with the children, including during school terms, holidays, and special occasions. Further issues included provisions for the parents to obtain professional support to manage the transition, ensuring the children's health and immunisation needs were met, and establishing communication protocols regarding the children's well-being and medical care. The court also addressed the need to prevent denigration of either parent and to manage discussions about family law matters.

The court ordered that the Mother and Father have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the Father on an alternating week basis during school terms, with specific arrangements for school holidays, long summer vacations, Christmas, Easter, and the children's and Father's birthdays. The children would live with the Mother at all other times. The court also stipulated that the Father's time with the children would be suspended during certain periods of school holidays and summer vacation, with specific provisions for Christmas, Easter, and the Mother's birthday. Changeovers were to occur at school or in a public place. The orders also mandated that the Mother seek psychological support and the Father seek support from a relevant organisation to assist with the changes. Both parents were directed to ensure the children received necessary immunisations and to keep each other informed of the children's treating health professionals. Injunctions were imposed restraining both parents from denigrating the other or discussing family law matters in the children's presence.