WATTS & DECKERT

In this matter before Judge Betts, the dispute concerned final parenting orders for two children, aged six and four. The father sought that both children live with him, and a key point of contention was the children's schooling. Notably, the father is not the biological parent of the eldest child.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in relation to their living arrangements and parental responsibility. Further issues included the specific arrangements for the children's time with each parent, including during school holidays and special occasions, as well as provisions for communication, notification of medical and educational matters, and international travel. The court also had to address the schooling arrangements for the children and the sensitive matter of explaining to the eldest child that the father is not her biological parent.

The court ordered that all previous orders be discharged and that the parents have equal shared parental responsibility. The children were ordered to live with the Mother, with detailed provisions for the Father's time with them, encompassing alternate weekends, alternate weeks during school terms, and specific arrangements for school holidays and public holidays. The court also made orders regarding communication between parents and children, notification of medical and educational events, and international travel. Crucially, the court ordered that the children attend B School for their primary schooling and directed the parties to arrange for a psychologist or counsellor to explain to the eldest child that the father is not her biological parent within 12 months of the orders.