Wilcox and Wilcox

In the matter of Wilcox and Wilcox, Judge Williams of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for the parties' two children, X and Y. The dispute centred on the future care and time arrangements for the children following the discharge of previous parenting orders.

The court was required to determine the specific parenting orders that would best serve the interests of the children. This involved establishing a framework for equal shared parental responsibility, determining the children's primary residence, and detailing the time each parent would spend with the children, including during school terms, school holidays, and on special occasions. The court also needed to address practical matters such as communication between parents and children, changeover arrangements, and international travel.

Judge Williams ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders and established equal shared parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with the wife. The judgment then set out a detailed schedule for the children's time with the husband, commencing with a transitional period of one month, followed by a further month of increased time, before settling into a regular pattern of weekend and mid-week time. Specific provisions were made for school holidays, including a week-about arrangement for the long summer holidays and a division of other school holidays, with default provisions in the absence of agreement. The orders also detailed arrangements for special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and Father's and Mother's Days, ensuring each parent had dedicated time with the children. Further orders addressed communication, changeover locations, the provision of medication, the exchange of information regarding the children's health and education, and the process for obtaining and renewing passports. The court also mandated attendance at counselling or mediation for any future disputes and ordered joint family therapy.