Zadenev & Zadenev

In the matter of *Zadenev & Zadenev*, Watts J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning interim property settlement and spousal maintenance. The dispute involved the husband and wife, with the husband seeking that any administrative assessment of child support be deducted from any order for spousal maintenance, an application opposed by the wife.

The court was required to determine the terms of interim spousal maintenance, the extent of the husband's ongoing financial obligations, and whether to order the sale of the parties' home. Specifically, the court had to consider the husband's proposal regarding the deduction of child support from spousal maintenance and the wife's opposition to such an arrangement.

Watts J ordered that the husband pay the wife $1,914 per week by way of spousal maintenance. The court noted that the wife was already receiving $1,500 per week from the husband or his controlled entities, comprising $750 for spousal maintenance and $750 for child support. The husband was also ordered to continue paying, or cause his entities to pay, specific expenses detailed in the parties' financial statements, including mortgage repayments, rates, insurance, utilities, and motor vehicle expenses for the wife. Furthermore, the husband provided an undertaking to cover school fees, educational costs, therapy, and lessons for the child, D, as well as private health insurance for the children. The wife and children were granted exclusive occupancy of the Suburb C home, with the husband responsible for outgoings and required to facilitate reasonable time with the children at the property. The husband's application for the sale of the Suburb C property was dismissed.