Somerville and Somerville and Anor (No.3)

This matter concerned parenting and property disputes between the Father and the Mother, heard by Judge Altobelli. The primary dispute revolved around the future care and living arrangements for the parties' four children, born between 2005 and 2012. Additionally, the court was required to determine the division of various assets and liabilities between the parties.

The court was tasked with determining the most appropriate parenting orders, specifically regarding parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the extent and nature of the Mother's contact with the children. In relation to property, the court had to decide on the division of real estate, including a jointly owned property and a time-share, as well as motor vehicles, superannuation interests, and outstanding financial liabilities and payments, including spouse maintenance.

In making its parenting orders, the court determined that the Father should have sole parental responsibility for the children and that they should live with him. The Mother was significantly restrained from spending time with or contacting the children, with limited exceptions for supervised contact for older children and unsupervised contact for those aged 16 and over, subject to specific conditions and requests. The court also made orders regarding the communication of information about the children between the parents and imposed restrictions on the Mother concerning the children's passports and international travel. The property orders involved the Father refinancing a mortgage and taking sole ownership of one property, the sale of another property with proceeds divided, and the transfer of a time-share to the Mother. The court also allocated specific assets and liabilities to each party and ordered the division of a superannuation interest.