HAWAII CIVIL UNION DIVORCES
Hawaii enacted its Civil Unions statute (Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 572B) effective January 1, 2012, which allows for same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, with the same rights as married couples. In conjunction with this, the Hawaii Family Court has issued its forms for Civil Union Divorce Actions (CUDAs) and set up the process for civil union couples to divorce.
Basics requirements for the filing of a civil union divorce
In order to file for a civil union divorce, the following requirements must be met:
- Residency: as with traditional divorce, civil union divorces require that the plaintiff (the person filing for the divorce) live in the county (Honolulu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai) in which the complaint for divorce is filed for at least three months, and in the State of Hawaii for at least six months.
- Civil union: the parties must be in a valid civil union.
- Grounds: the civil union is irretrievably broken.
- child custody/visitation and child support, where one or both of the parties have adopted;
- alimony;
- division of assets — bank accounts, securities, cards, real estate, life insurance, retirement, household good, and other property; and
- division of debts — credit cards, car loans, mortgages, personal loans, and other debt.
Although this is a very new process, we at Doi/Luke have taken the time to familiarize ourselves with the new civil union divorce forms and procedure, and can help you get through your civil union divorce.
Call us at 593-2199 to schedule a free consultation regarding your civil union divorce.
