Divorce in Honolulu Hawaii – Oahu

Honolulu HI Divorce Lawyers

If you are having marital difficulties in the state of Hawaii, the primary thing to consider first before exploring the details of the divorce laws is the possibility of reconciliation. Divorce is something that should be considered very carefully, and though it may seem like a solution to an ongoing series of problems, it also creates a new set of challenging circumstances. If you have children, their lives will be significantly impacted, and the rest of the extended family like the grandparents will also be quite directly affected. There are also quality of life issues to take into account, and it can be hard for one person to maintain the same lifestyle that they enjoyed when they were engaged in a marital partnership from a financial point of view. There are many counseling resources available in Hawaii, and it is always advisable to make every effort to heal the marriage before filing for divorce.

However, there are cases when a married couple just cannot make the partnership work any longer, and for them, divorce may be the best way to proceed. In the state of Hawaii, a person who is seeking a divorce does not have to state any particular reason for doing so other than the assertion of the fact that the marriage has become “irretrievably broken.” This is one ground that can be used, and the others involve couples who have been living apart for at least two years, or when a term of legal separation has expired. To meet the state residency requirements, Title 580 of the Hawaii Statutes states that at least one of the former partners needs to have lived in the state for a minimum of six month prior to the filing. This statute specifically states that this requirement applies to members of the military as well as civilians.

Once the Complain for Divorce has been filed, and even before in some instances, the former couple will need to decide on several very important matters, including child custody, visitation and support, possible spousal support, and the way the shared assets and debt will be distributed.  Most couples can come to an agreement and settle on divorce terms privately, but in cases when they can’t, it is up to the Family Court to decide the terms of the divorce.

Anyone who is involved in a divorce proceeding should seek the counsel of an experienced Honolulu HI divorce attorney.