Category: Kamuela Divorce Lawyers

This part of marriage dissolution is often the most straightforward phase of a divorce, provided the couple has a premarital agreement. Most Hawaii County enforces these pacts unless they are glaringly one-sided or both spouses did not have independent Kamuela divorce lawyers.

In the country’s few community property states, property division is usually rather straightforward as well. The judge needs little more than a calendar and a calculator to split property according to the law.

But Hawaii is an equitable distribution state. Marital property must be divided according to a number of factors. So, unless there is a premarital agreement, Kamuela divorce lawyers often spend most of their time on this part of marriage dissolution.

Classifying Marital and Nonmarital Property

Before they divide property, Kamuela divorce lawyers must classify it as marital or nonmarital. The general rule is not hard to follow. Property acquired before the marriage or by gift is non-marital property. Everything else is marital property subject to division.

However, this general rule does not apply very well to many real-world situations. For example, spouses routinely use money from their paychecks to pay their student loans, even though that means they paid nonmarital debts with marital assets.

Things get even more complicated if, as is often the case, there is a family business. For example, the Wife might serve as the unpaid office manager of the Husband’s dental office. His business was certainly nonmarital property before the marriage, but after that, the lines are blurry.

To address issues like these, Kamuela divorce lawyers often partner with forensic accountants and other professionals. That makes a time-consuming process even more lengthy, but it is critical to get things right the first time. Measure twice and cut once, as the old woodworker’s saying goes.

Splitting Property and Kamuela Divorce Lawyers

Property division involves splitting property rights and obligations between the divorcing spouses. It is also known as equitable distribution. The division may either be mutually agreed upon by spouses through a property settlement or may be decided in court through the legal divorce process.

Property division is complex and is affected by state laws such as community property laws, marital contributions, and more. An experienced Kamuela divorce lawyer will be able to guide you through the maze and figure out the nitty-gritty.

As Hawaii is an equitable distribution state, the assets acquired before and during the marriage are subject to division post the divorce. Hawaiian courts also consider factors such as non-monetary contributions, payment towards partner’s education, and economic misconduct, among others. Further, even though divorce is not granted on the basis of fault in Hawaii, a judge may consider fault during the division of property, especially in the case of misconduct, such as drug use or gambling.

Kamuela divorce attorneys know that there is no one-size-fits-all formula to decide what’s equitable. We work with individual case facts and circumstances to arrive at the most helpful and desirable solutions for each client.

Resolving Property Division Disputes

Not every divorce matter needs to go to court. Divorces can be resolved through negotiations between the divorcing couple in the presence of an attorney. This involves the use of out-of-court alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings to arrive at a voluntary settlement.

More often than not, divorce cases are resolved before going to a judge or jury through ADR processes such as mediation and arbitration.

We understand that a rise in the number of couples opting for mediation for resolving their divorce-related issues indicates that the role of attorneys is undergoing a change. They no longer just represent their clients in court proceedings but are also acting as legal coaches, advisers, and consultants in the divorce mediation process.

As competent Kamuela divorce lawyers, we are well-versed in all types of ADRs and will facilitate the one that’s most appropriate for your case.

Call Kamuela Divorce Attorney Today to Settle Your Property Division

Divorce cases can be complex. Issues such as division of marital property and retirement plans, spousal and child support, as well as child custody need to be handled with expertise, assertiveness, and compassion. At Olson and Sons, L.C., we are committed to helping you achieve the most suitable resolution for your divorce issues. Our professional legal team will fight to protect your rights and uphold your best interests. Call us at 808-885-8533 to speak to an experienced Kamuela Divorce attorney. We are proficient in handling divorce matters in Hawaii County and nearby jurisdictions.

Overall, the divorce rate has declined significantly since the 1990s. Yet the average marriage only lasts eleven years. So, most people will go through a marriage dissolution proceeding, especially if they have been married before.

In some parts of the country, divorce is a piecemeal process. But in Hawaii County, one marriage dissolution proceeding usually resolves all the emotional and financial issues the couple faces at the time. And, unless the marriage was extremely brief, there are always emotional and financial issues.

Since the divorce process is relatively streamlined in Hawaii, many people undertake do-it-yourself divorces. DIY may be a good idea in certain situations, but it’s a bad idea with regard to divorces. A good Kamuela divorce lawyer helps you get through this process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Emotional Issues in a Divorce

Regardless of the circumstances, most people grieve after a divorce. Even if they do not lament the end of the relationship, they sometimes grieve over what might have been. A Kamuela divorce lawyer is obviously not a therapist, but an attorney can help you process these feelings. If needed, a Kamuela divorce lawyer can also refer you to a family therapist.

However, most emotional issues involve child visitation and child custody. Typically, the judge holds a temporary hearing about two weeks after the petitioner files legal paperwork. Although the orders are technically “interim,” they frequently become permanent. So, assertive representation is important right out of the gate.

As the case proceeds and more evidence emerges, the focus shifts from the current situation to the best interests of the children. Some factors include:

1. Prior Parenting Patterns: In many relationships, there is a “fun” parent and a “discipline” parent. Fun moms and dads usually make poor residential custodians. Most relationships also feature a “caregiver” parent and a “breadwinner” parent. Breadwinner moms and dads usually make poor residential custodians. However, these roles frequently overlap.

2. Child’s Needs: This factor usually refers to a child’s special needs, as opposed to regular needs. Some parents do not have the tools or temperament to deal with some situations. Or, at least the other parent is better suited.

3. Ability to Co-Parent: Some parents hire bulldog Kamuela divorce lawyers who contest every point. This strategy often backfires. Judges assume that if a parent is contentious during the divorce, the parent will also be contentious later.

4. Domestic Abuse: If there are verified allegations of domestic abuse against a party, it is almost impossible for that person to win a custody fight. Domestic abuse could be physical, mental, or emotional.

Evidence on these points often comes from a social services investigation. Hawaii County judges normally order these investigations in contested cases. The social worker’s conclusions are not binding, but they are very weighty.

Kamuela Divorce Lawyers and Financial Issues

Both at the time of divorce and afterward, child custody and child support are completely separate issues. One parent cannot withhold visitation if the other parent is behind on support payments. There are almost certainly other consequences, but that’s the subject of another blog.

To determine the child support amount, Hawaii law uses the Melson formula. This complex calculation includes such factors as the parents’ income, parenting time division, the child’s needs, and the parents’ financial needs.

In terms of property division, Hawaii law sets forth a number of factors to assist in making an equitable division. Some of these factors include:

• Length of the marriage,
• Relative age, health, and educational background of each spouse,
• Non-Economic contributions to the marriage (the so-called “homemaker effect”),
• Any agreements between the parties, and
• Custody of minor children.

Equitable is generally the same thing as equal, but that’s not always the case. Legally, marital property must be divided in such a way that the divorce is not an unfair financial burden on either party.

Alimony is the final financial issues that Kamuela divorce lawyers deal with. Generally, spousal support is a short-term obligation that gives spouses the resources they need to become self-sufficient. For example, a spouse might need to finish a degree or accept a low-paying job to re-enter the workforce.

In some cases, judges order long-term alimony to equalize the standard of living between the spouses. These payments are usually limited to the length of the marriage (e.g. ten years of alimony following a ten-year marriage). Moreover, a Kamuela divorce lawyer must introduce substantial evidence of inequity, like a disability.

Hire an Aggressive Kamuela Lawyer for Help with Marriage Dissolution

Marriage dissolution usually involves emotional and financial issues. For a confidential consultation with an experienced Kamuela divorce lawyer, contact Olson & Sons, L.C. Convenient payment plans are available. Call us on (808) 201-2041 to gain sound legal counsel and vigorous defense in your case.

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