Vera and Vera

In the matter of *Vera and Vera*, Justice Fowler of the Family Court of Australia considered orders concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for two children, H and F. The dispute centred on the practical arrangements for the children's care and time spent with each parent following separation.

The court was required to determine the nature of parental responsibility, specifically whether equal shared parental responsibility was appropriate, and to make orders regarding the children's residence and the time they would spend with each parent. The court also had to consider the specific details of the time arrangements, including during school holidays and periods of travel.

Justice Fowler made orders reflecting equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were ordered to live with the husband. The wife was granted significant time with the children, including most of the Christmas school holidays, alternating two weeks with the father, and the entirety of short school holidays, with specific provisions for travel time and weekends. The orders also included provisions for communication and additional time when the wife was in the Kimberley area. Furthermore, the court incorporated a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravention of the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.