TEAL & CORNELL

In a family law matter before Judge Obradovic, the court considered parenting arrangements for two children, the adjustment of property interests between the parties, and an application for a child support departure order. The dispute centred on the children's safety and well-being when spending time with the father, the division of marital assets, and the adequacy of the father's financial support for the children.

The court was required to determine whether the children were at risk of harm if they continued to spend time with the father, assessing his capacity and insight in relation to their care. Additionally, the court had to assess the parties' contributions to the relationship and their respective financial resources to make just and equitable property adjustment orders. Finally, the court needed to consider whether special circumstances existed to justify a departure from the standard child support assessment, and if so, to determine an appropriate lump sum amount for child maintenance.

The court found that the children were at risk and ordered that the applicant have sole parental responsibility, with the children to live with the applicant and spend no time with the respondent. In relation to property, the court ordered a property adjustment payment of $156,579 from the respondent to the applicant. Furthermore, the court was satisfied that special circumstances warranted a departure from the standard child support assessment, ordering the respondent to pay a lump sum of $150,000 for child maintenance. To facilitate these payments, the court ordered that the respondent's interest in a property be charged, and if the payments were not made within three months, the property was to be listed for sale with specific sale price reductions and disbursement of proceeds outlined. The remaining assets were to be retained by each party respectively.