Hawaii courts require a parenting plan as part of any child custody settlement. A parenting plan is creating clear expectations, rights and roles of each parent for the children as well as clarifying the process for dealing with disagreements. There are a few things...
Honolulu Family Law Blog
Divorce mediation basics to know
Mediation helps parties in a divorce come to a settlement agreement. It can save you money compared to litigation. Mediation also helps you resolve your case faster because you eliminate the time waiting for hearings to litigate your settlement. If you are not...
What factors determine spousal support?
A court may order spousal support to ensure that both parties can enjoy a similar standard of living even though they are no longer living together. This is also called spousal maintenance. The Hawaii State Legislature allows courts to award spousal maintenance based...
Questions about grandparent visitation rights in Hawaii
Many circumstances may cause a grandparent to lose access to their grandchildren. Divorce, separation or the death of one parent may have a ripple effect that limits contact between grandparents and their grandchildren. Or in some cases, the parents may limit...
What are the benefits of a no-fault divorce?
The State of Hawaii has made the divorce process less adversarial and stressful than it used to be. A no-fault divorce allows you to file for divorce without proving the other person did anything illegal or intentionally harmful. This usually takes less of an...
How can you adopt your stepchild?
If you are a stepparent that has fallen in love with your stepchild and are ready to formalize your relationship, it is time to explore stepparent adoption in Hawaii. Adopting a stepchild is less arduous than other types of adoption, and can be a legal way to cement...
Stick to your priorities during divorce
Going through a divorce will be one of the most challenging processes in your life. However, you can make decisions that ensure the rest of your life does not have to be so difficult. It is easy to feel bogged down by all the moving parts at the end of your marriage,...
What factors determine spousal support?
Going through a divorce can be a painful experience. You may not have wanted the divorce, and now you worry about how you will support yourself. Can you get spousal support? What factors do courts use to determine the amount you can get? While spousal support is not...
3 reasons to put your parenting plan into writing
Even if you are going through an amicable divorce, relying on verbal agreements can lead to disastrous misunderstandings down the road. This is especially true regarding your parenting plan, which you can put into writing before you even go to court. Creating a...
Signs your children are having difficulty during your divorce
Getting a divorce is traumatic. It is especially difficult for the children of divorcing spouses. Although your relationship is dissolving, it does not mean either of you loves your kids less. You both want your progeny to experience minimal distress. Juveniles often...