Audit Approach

In February this year the Family Court dealt with a case that had two unusual features. First, there was a reversal of gender roles with an older wealthier woman and a younger poorer man. Second, the wife's argument at the trial focused on a mathematical approach by the wife to her financial contributions, the conclusion for which would have seen the husband receiving only 7.5% of the over $2million asset pool. The trial judge referred to this as an audit approach and that it ignored the merging of effort, finance risk and support. Further, some of the increase in the value of the property of the parties was just market movement, not by any effort of either of them. The trial judge's order that the husband receive 25% was upheld on appeal.