His inheritance, her years with the kids: an even split after 22 years

Mr Jeffries and Ms Bullen married in 1992 and had two children. For most of the marriage they ran a small business together, with Ms Bullen handling the bookkeeping, promotion and administration. They separated in 2014 but stayed under one roof, living apart from June 2019, and their finances stayed mixed for years afterwards.

In 2021 they sold the building the business ran from, and each took about $350,000 as a part-settlement. She paid down much of the mortgage on the family home; he bought a unit. By the 2025 trial what remained was the home, worth $845,000, his unit, cars and a little super: $863,402 net. He asked for 58% and she asked for 70%.

Judge Dorrat applied the steps now written into s 79 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) after the June 2025 reforms. He had brought a property with little equity into the marriage, which counted for little after 22 years. He had also received a $127,000 inheritance in 2016, largely spent on the family's debts and bills, which the judge found was a significant contribution. Against that, she had been almost entirely responsible for the two teenagers' day-to-day care after he left. The judge found their contributions relatively equal.

Each said the other had spent money that should be counted, including her spending of over $100,000 on courses. The judge did not find that spending reckless and found no wastage. Following a 2025 appeal decision, money already spent was not added back to the pool. He was 65 and on the aged pension. She was younger, but likely to earn only a modest income for some time, and was helping to support their adult children. Weighing both sides, the judge made no adjustment for future needs.

She keeps the home and pays him $214,249.50, which includes her half of the valuation costs. If she cannot refinance in time, the home is sold and the proceeds divided to give each half.