STEPHANOPOULOS & STEPHANOPOULOS

In the matter of *Stephanopoulos & Stephanopoulos*, Foster J considered a further interim property application brought by the husband against the wife. The dispute concerned the division of assets and liabilities between the parties, including contributions made by each to the marriage.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim orders to be made regarding the parties' property interests, specifically concerning a partnership and real estate. Additionally, the court considered an application for spouse maintenance, which was dismissed, and an application for an injunction restraining the wife from continuing proceedings in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, which was also dismissed as unnecessary given the other orders made.

Foster J applied established principles for interim property applications, considering the assets and liabilities of the parties and their respective contributions. The court reasoned that it was appropriate to make orders for the transfer of the "Stephanopoulos Partnership" and certain real estate properties to the husband, with the husband to indemnify the wife from liabilities arising from the partnership. The court also ordered a payment of $400,000.00 to the wife from funds held in a controlled monies account, with the characterisation of this payment reserved for the final hearing.

The court ordered the wife to transfer her interest in the partnership and real estate to the husband within 14 days, and upon compliance, the husband was to indemnify the wife from partnership liabilities. The parties were also ordered to take necessary steps to procure a payment of $400,000.00 to the wife within 14 days. All other interim applications before the court were dismissed, save for issues noted below.