Woodruff and Woodruff

In the matter of Woodruff and Woodruff, Judge Scarlett of the Family Court of Australia considered interim parenting orders concerning two children, aged 13 and 11. The dispute involved allegations of family violence and mental health issues, with the older child expressing a refusal to spend time with the mother. The court also addressed the transfer of proceedings to the Wollongong Registry.

The primary legal issues before the court were how to best promote the children's welfare and development, particularly in light of the older child's expressed wishes and the allegations of family violence. The court was required to determine arrangements for parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the nature and extent of time the children would spend with each parent, including whether supervised contact was necessary for the younger child.

The court made orders for equal shared parental responsibility, with the children to live with the father. The older child was to spend time with the mother in accordance with her wishes, while the younger child's time with the mother was to be supervised by an agreed-upon family member or other suitable person. Liberal telephone communication between the children and the mother was also ordered. The court further imposed injunctions restraining the parents from discussing the proceedings with the children or making derogatory comments about each other in their presence. The children were to continue counselling, and both parents were directed to engage in family therapy. Specific orders were also made regarding therapeutic counselling for the older child with a view to reintroducing her to the mother.