WITHERS & WITHERS

In the matter of Withers & Withers, Forrest J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning property and spousal maintenance between the husband and wife. The dispute involved the division of various assets, including real estate, motor vehicles, superannuation interests, and a golf club equity membership.

The court was required to determine the appropriate distribution of the parties' property and to make orders regarding spousal maintenance. This involved assessing the value of various assets and liabilities, and considering the relevant provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), particularly in relation to superannuation interests.

Forrest J ordered the discharge of all existing interim property and spousal maintenance orders. The husband was directed to transfer his interest in one property to the wife, while the wife was to transfer her interest in another property to the husband, with reciprocal indemnities for liabilities relating to each property. The wife was to retain certain personal property, superannuation interests, and a debt owed by her daughter. The husband's golf club equity membership was to be sold, with a specified percentage of the net proceeds to be paid to the wife. Significant orders were made concerning the husband's self-managed superannuation fund, entitling the wife to a substantial portion of its value, with corresponding reductions for the husband, and requiring the trustee to comply with relevant regulations. The husband was to retain the balance of the parties' property not specifically allocated to the wife. Finally, orders were made regarding the costs of the proceedings, with the husband to pay the wife's costs, subject to a deduction for the wife's contribution to the costs of property valuers.