Understanding Child Custody in Hawaii – Legal vs. Physical
Legal vs. Physical Custody in Hawai‘i: What’s the Difference? One of the most common questions parents ask during a custody case in Hawai‘i is: “What’s the difference between legal custody and physical custody?” This is a great question — the terms can sound like legal jargon at first. But understanding the difference is important, especially […]
Custody Disputes During the COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak
Coronavirus orders and school disruption may in turn cause custody flare ups Child custody disputes between parents may be flaring up during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. Changes to nearly everyone’s day to day lives will likely have an effect on their co-parenting issues, often for the worse. The hope is that parents can navigate this […]
Custody Evaluators, Fact Finders, and the Custody Investigation Unit – Determining Custody in the Hawaii Family Courts
When people are dealing with child custody in the Family Court in Hawaii, the terms can be confusing. Are you going to hire a CE? Select an FF? Qualify for the CIU? Abbreviations aside, these are all different methods of investigation, to help the Family Court judges reach decisions on child custody: Custody Evaluators, Fact […]
Protection from Parental Disputes
FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT’S PROTECTION FROM PARENTAL DISPUTES Child custody proceedings are often ugly, draw out processes that permanently scar families and children. In an attempt to minimize the effect of parental conflict, the Hawaii Family Court of the First Circuit (Oahu) put together its “Protection from Parental Disputes.” The Court frequently requests that the […]
Divorce Issues Checklist
A helpful tool when trying to settle your divorce When thinking about your contested or uncontested divorce, it is important to have thought about the different issues that will arise. Below is a handy checklist of the important issues in a divorce. Note that this is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list, but a good […]
New Website for Hawaii Family Court’s Kids First Program
Kids First, an Oahu program run by the Hawaii Family Court has launched its new website at KidsFirstHawaii.com. The program is designed to help family going through divorce or breakup through classes for parents and children. All parents who are going through a divorce (married parties) or filing for a custody order (unmarried parties) are […]
Divorce, Brought to You by the Letter “D”
Sesame Street Takes on Divorce Parents who are splitting up, it’s time to tune into the Muppets: Sesame Street is tackling divorce. Apparently this is a topic that the Children’s Television Workshop tried to address 20 years ago, going so far as writing and shooting an episode in the 90’s, only to find that it […]
Custody Exchanges Often a Flashpoint for Anger
CUSTODY EXCHANGES OFTEN A FLASHPOINT FOR ANGER The news is filled with explosive headlines about anger and violence during child custody exchanges between parents: Calif. man strangling baby is subdued by cop’s choke hold outside Calif. Walmart Florida Woman Doused With Gas, Set on Fire Domestic Exchange Occurred Before Village Inn Murder-Suicide These stories […]
Co-Parenting in Anger
I often like to tell my clients that being able to move on from anger in their divorce or split-up is valuable and necessary for both their own health and their children’s health.