WATSON & BURTON

In the matter of *Watson & Burton*, heard by Tree J, the court was required to determine parenting orders concerning two children, B and C. The dispute involved the living arrangements and parental responsibilities for the children, as well as the specific times each parent would spend with them, including arrangements for special occasions and holidays.

The legal issues before the court included the allocation of parental responsibility for long-term and day-to-day decisions concerning the children's care, welfare, and development. The court also had to determine the primary residence of the children and establish a detailed schedule for the children's time with each parent, encompassing regular contact, school holidays, and significant annual events. Further issues involved communication protocols between the parents regarding decisions and contact, as well as provisions for school and medical information sharing.

Tree J ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders. The children were to live with the father, who was granted sole parental responsibility for all long-term decisions regarding their care, welfare, and development. Day-to-day decisions were to be the responsibility of the parent in whose care the children were at the time. The court then set out a comprehensive schedule for the children's time with the mother, including specific arrangements for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, and various special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and Easter. Provisions were also made for communication, school involvement, and the sharing of information regarding the children's health and education. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all other extant applications were dismissed.