Velten & Velten

In *Velten & Velten*, heard by Wilson J, the dispute concerned interim discovery and spousal maintenance in family law proceedings. The wife sought orders for interim discovery from the husband, alleging his discovery was unsatisfactory, and also sought orders for spousal maintenance and valuations of certain business interests.

The court was required to determine the extent of the husband's obligations regarding discovery, particularly in light of previous orders and requests made by the wife's solicitors. Additionally, the court needed to consider the appropriate orders for interim spousal maintenance and the valuation of the parties' interests in the "Velten Group," which comprised the Mr Velten Family Trust and F Pty Ltd.

Wilson J ordered the husband to pay the wife $200,000 by a specified date, discharging previous orders relating to this payment. To facilitate this payment, the husband was directed to sell specific assets, including a houseboat, mooring permit, classic motor vehicle, speedboat, and jet ski. The wife was granted sole conduct of these sales, with liberty to appoint selling agents and determine sale terms, including price, subject to keeping the husband informed. The proceeds of these sales were to be applied first to sale costs, then to any outstanding amount of the $200,000 payment, and finally, the remaining balance was to be held pending agreement or further order. The husband was also ordered to provide further discovery by specific dates and to jointly instruct a single expert to value the Velten Group at 31 December 2019, with specific parameters for the valuation. Further orders addressed the payment of outstanding accounts, the provision of a credit card for the wife's use, the application of funds from a trust account, and the suspension of mortgage repayments.