A woman knows that she is the mother of a child, but a father's position is somewhat less certain. Under Hawaiian law, there is a presumption of paternity that applies to married couples. Legally, a husband becomes the father of a child when your wife gives birth,...
Honolulu Family Law Blog
Why feeling bad about divorce is normal
You have taken the plunge and filed for divorce. You tell yourself it is for the best. Yet, some days you wake up feeling down about it. Does that mean you made the wrong choice? Divorce will affect your mental and physical health You cannot expect to end a long-term...
Can your ex leave Hawaii with the children after your divorce?
Parents often experience intense fears about divorce and what it means for their relationship with their children. The first concern people often cite is concern that their spouse will get sole custody and kick them out of the lives of the children. A slightly less...
What can you expect a judge to ask you about before making a child custody determination?
It can be very daunting knowing that there's an impending court hearing where a judge will make decisions in your child custody case. There are some basic issues that you can prepare yourself for a family law judge to ask about, though. You can begin formulating your...
Can your spouse keep a 401(k) because it’s in their name?
When you decide to divorce, you and your spouse will probably start divvying up your property. Deciding who gets what is such a difficult process that couples often need the courts to make those decisions on their behalf. Some people ask for property they have no...
Keep the focus during child custody negotiations
Child custody negotiations can be rather challenging events. Both parents likely have an idea of what they want to happen, and those ideas may not mesh with each other. Trying to work through those issues can lead to stress unless you take appropriate actions. Think...
Should you prepare to litigate your divorce case?
Once you file for divorce, something that you may wonder is if you should be prepared for your case to go to court. While you likely will have a hearing or two during your divorce, not all cases have to go to family court for litigation. There are times when...
Understanding the “right of first refusal” in parenting plans
Divorcing parents have various reasons for wanting to include a “right of first refusal” (ROFR) clause in their custody agreement. Sometimes the custody division is uneven, and the parent with less time wants every opportunity to be with their children. Maybe one...
Let go of these 3 myths when a divorce is imminent
Despite all of the information available online and elsewhere, people still believe in untrue myths about divorce. People looking to end a marriage often rely on stories from friends or family to make divorce decisions. While most who offer these so-called tips have...
Who gets the house in a divorce?
Your spouse files for divorce. You know this is eventually going to mean you have to find a new place to live, but what does that process look like? Who gets to keep the home? First and foremost, you can stay in the house if you legally own it, even after the divorce...
