Tarkington and Tarkington

In the matter of *Tarkington and Tarkington*, heard before Faulks DCJ, the dispute concerned the living arrangements and parental responsibility for a child born in August 1998. The court was tasked with determining where the child would reside and who would hold responsibility for the child's long-term care, welfare, and development.

The central legal issues before the court were the determination of the child's primary residence and the allocation of parental responsibility. The court also considered the extent of the child's time with the mother and the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Faulks DCJ ordered that the child would live with his father and that the father would have sole parental responsibility for the child's long-term care, welfare, and development. The court noted the father's indication that he would share this responsibility with the mother if she were able and wished to participate. The child was to spend time with his mother as agreed between the parents. The matter was removed from the pending cases inventory, and Ms Lloyd was discharged from her obligations as Independent Children's Lawyer.