ZABER & SCARFE

In the matter of *Zaber & Scarfe*, heard by Judge Boyle, the dispute concerned child maintenance and arrangements for children to spend time with their mother, who resided overseas. The father sought orders for child maintenance, and the court was required to determine the appropriate quantum and the practicalities of the children travelling internationally to spend time with their mother.

The court was tasked with determining the quantum of child maintenance payable by the mother to the father, considering the mother's non-disclosure of overseas income. Additionally, the court had to assess the capacity of the children to undertake frequent overseas trips to spend time with their mother, balancing the children's best interests with the mother's desire for contact.

Judge Boyle ordered that the child X would spend specific school holiday periods with the mother, with one such period annually to be spent in Australia. The mother was also to have alternating halves of the Christmas school holidays. Crucially, the mother was required to provide the father with at least eight weeks' written notice of her intended holiday arrangements, specifying whether the time would be in Australia or overseas. Pursuant to section 66G of the *Family Law Act 1975*, the mother was ordered to pay child maintenance of $200 per week per child, payable fortnightly in advance, and to contribute one half of all medical and dental costs for the children, after any insurance claims.