As the new Speaker of the House was a relative unknown prior to his election as Speaker, many have discovered that his marriage is what is called a covenant marriage. This has drawn Hawaiian residents to wonder what is and whether Hawaii recognizes it. What are...
Family Law
3 reasons to reconsider dating during divorce
Divorce is painful and overwhelming, often unveiling a strong need for emotional support and companionship. However, there are many reasons to reconsider pursuing a new relationship. Although you may feel as though your marriage has ended, it's not officially over...
How long does an alimony order last?
Alimony is one of the more controversial issues in any divorce. Few people enjoy feeling financially dependent on an ex-spouse, and few enjoy having to make alimony payments to an ex. However, it can be essential to reaching a fair divorce settlement and it can be...
Establishing paternity in Hawaii: What to know
When you have paternity over a child, that’s legal standing as a child’s father. Until paternity is established, you don’t actually have any legal rights over your child – which means (among other things) that you have no authority over how they are raised and no...
What should you know about alimony in Hawaii?
When you expect your divorce to leave you at a financial disadvantage, you probably hope to find a way of improving your situation. Obtaining alimony (spousal support) can help you stretch your finances and possibly avoid undue economic hardships. Unfortunately,...
How do you decide who gets the rental home in your divorce?
One of your concerns when going through a divorce is what will happen to all of the assets you co-own with your ex-spouse. If you’ve been together a long time, this can be complicated - especially when everything belongs to both of you. It’s important for you that...
How long does a father have to establish paternity?
Parenthood is a lifelong commitment. Once someone helps to bring new life into the world, they often have a personal attachment and feel a sense of social obligation reinforced by their family and the broader community. However, from a legal sense, parents generally...
What to do when your co-parent misses child support
Child support is crucial because it ensures a child's needs are met after a divorce. The Hawaii Child Support Enforcement Agency provides a system for payments of court-ordered child support. The agency ensures that parents pay in a convenient and timely manner by...
Is your ex refusing to pay child support?
You and your former spouse decided it was best for the family to go your separate ways. The divorce has concluded, and thankfully, it was relatively harmonious. Agreements have been reached on child custody, property division and child support. Initially, your ex...
Can you block visitation if your ex is late on child support?
Child support can be essential to help you raise your kids. If your co-parent refuses to pay it or continually pays late, it can create hardship for you and the children. Hence you might want to lay down some consequences, such as telling them that they cannot see the...