Read the full judgment text of FCMC 121/2021 on BabelCite. This Family Court judgment was delivered on 18 August 2023 before Her Honour Judge Thelma Kwan.
Maintenance – Child Support – Non-disclosure – Adverse Inference – Best Interest – District Court – Family Court – Maintenance application following declaration of paternity where Respondent failed to appear or disclose finances – Whether Court can draw adverse inferences on ability to pay; Whether Court can assess needs on broad-brush basis – Yes; Court may draw adverse inferences and make robust assumptions. Yes; Court reassessed expenses broadly – Respondent ordered to pay $5,200 monthly maintenance. Costs order against Respondent.
Legal issues: Ability to pay and adverse inferences · Assessment of child's needs
Outcome: Respondent ordered to pay monthly maintenance of $5,200. Costs order made against Respondent.
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