Cheryl Suann Williams

The applicant sought costs of $457,000 following a 28-day family law trial involving custody, access, child support, spousal support, and property issues.

The respondent argued no costs should be ordered.

The court found the applicant achieved considerable success on the most important issues, including custody, parenting schedule, and support.

Furthermore, the court found the respondent acted unreasonably and in bad faith by intentionally concealing that his restricted stock unit income was in U.S. dollars to improperly reduce his support obligations.

The court ordered the respondent to pay $400,000 in costs, with $200,000 attributed to support issues.

The parties separated after a 17-year cohabitation and marriage.

The mother sought sole custody of their 9-year-old child, while the father sought sole custody and equal parenting time.

The court found the parents were unable to communicate or make decisions cooperatively, largely due to the father's unrealistic expectations, unilateral changes to the parenting schedule, and refusal to accept professional advice regarding the child's need for counselling.

The mother was awarded sole custody, and the existing parenting schedule was largely maintained.

The court also ordered the father to pay child support, proportionate section 7 expenses, and retroactive and ongoing spousal support based on both compensatory and non-compensatory grounds.