Wylie and Wells

This matter concerned an application for parenting orders before Judge Altobelli. The dispute involved the parents of two children, X and Y, regarding the arrangements for their living, time spent, and communication.

The court was required to determine the specific orders concerning equal shared parental responsibility, the children's primary residence, the time each parent would spend with the children, including during school terms and holidays, and provisions for communication between the children and each parent. Further issues included responsibility for travel costs, participation in extra-curricular activities, notification of health matters, access to school information, and the provision of access to the children's online accounts. The court also considered orders restraining the parties from denigrating each other in the presence of the children.

Judge Altobelli made orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were ordered to live with the Father in Melbourne. The Mother was granted specific periods of time with the children, including weekends during school terms, extended periods of 7 days per term with notice, and a significant portion of school holidays, with the location of these holidays being at the Mother's election between Melbourne and Queensland. The orders also detailed the alternating arrangements for Easter holidays and the division of the long summer holidays. Provisions were made for telephone and Skype contact, travel costs, participation in extra-curricular activities, and the exchange of health and educational information. The court also ordered the Mother to provide access details for the children's Facebook account and mobile devices, and importantly, restrained both parties from denigrating each other in the presence or hearing of the children.