Contact

➤ LOCATION

46-005 Kawa St. Suite 209
Kāneʻohe, HI 96744

☎ CONTACT

mele@waialaelaw.com
(808) 865-2195

ContestDivorce

A contested divorce is a divorce where the spouses cannot agree on one or more major issues and must go to court to have a judge decide the outcome. This can include disagreements about: 

• Whether to get a divorce

• The reasons for the divorce

• Child custody

• Child support

• Alimony or spousal support

• How to divide property or assets

• Allocation of debt

A contested divorce is more complicated than an uncontested divorce and can be costly and time-consuming. It's generally recommended to have an attorney assist with a contested divorce

uncontested divorce

An uncontested divorce is a legal process where both spouses agree on the terms of their divorce without going to court. This is usually a quicker, less expensive, and less stressful option than a contested divorce. 

To qualify for an uncontested divorce in Hawaii, spouses must:

• Agree on all major issues, such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and division of assets and debts 

• Work together to draft a settlement agreement 

• File the agreement with the court for approval

Mediation

Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, or mediator, helps conflicting parties negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution. The mediator's role is to listen to both parties' points of view, create a calm environment, and suggest practical steps to help the parties reach an agreement Mediation can be an effective way to resolve disputes and save parties time and money, as it can avoid the need for a trial.Mediations typically have a success rate of 80–92%.

Child Support

Child support is a financial payment made by a noncustodial parent to help with the costs of raising a child. Child support helps pay for a child's basic living expenses, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education. The noncustodial parent, or the parent who does not have primary care, custody, or control of the child, is usually obligated to pay child support. In the case of joint custody, both parents usually pay child support.

Temporary Restraining orders

A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a court order that temporarily prevents someone from taking a specific action, usually issued in urgent situations where immediate protection is needed, like in cases of domestic violence or harassment, until a full court hearing can determine if a longer-lasting restraining order is necessary; essentially, it's a short-term "pause" on certain behaviors to protect the petitioner from potential harm while the case progresses.