A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY YOU CAN TRUST.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
It has often been said that enduring a divorce or other breakup, especially with children involved, is one of the most difficult times of a person's life. It is my role to help guide people through this process, often through a court system that seems complicated and can appear to be insensitive to the people involved. My approach and philosophy is simple: This is your life, so you are the one ultimately in charge of your case; you are the one that makes the decisions on how to handle the issues in your case, after full and frank discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
I bring 25 years of practicing law (10 of which were on the mainland) to bear on seeking workable solutions to get you to the finish line in an amicable manner. I fight for your rights using all my experience and know how to get the results you want by the shortest route available. Experience has shown me that is the best and often most economical (think cheapest), way to get you from start to finish on as direct a route as possible.
When you call my office I will not always tell you want to hear, but I tell you what you need to hear. You and your affairs will always be given the attention deserved, and you will always be kept informed of developments in your case so you can make the best possible decisions as to which direction to take. We will discuss the circumstances surrounding your case, so I can understand your goals, give you a reasonable prediction of the likelihood of achieving them, and how best we can accomplish them together. With me, you are not alone in this.
My office is centrally located right off H-1 in the heart of Pearl City, just 15 minutes from the Family Court, yet easily accessible from anywhere on the island. While it may not be pretty, being close to the courthouse helps keep the costs to you significantly lower, so you won't have to worry about seeing large bills just for me to drive to Court for your case, as is common when the offices are in town or in more distant locales.
I look forward to working with you to get you through this trying time.
Your Life, Your Children, Your Future
AREAS OF PRACTICE
DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY, CHILD SUPPORT, PROPERTY AND RETIREMENT DIVISION, AND ALL RELATED AREAS
PATERNITY AND ADOPTION
GET IN TOUCH
Whether you are involved in a custody dispute, financial dispute, or have any other legal concern, or just want to explore your options, do not hesitate to schedule a free phone consultation. Call my Pearl City office at
808-454-4446, or fill out the online contact form.
Email:
Phone:
(808) 454-4446
Fax:
(808) 454-4447
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Friday:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
We are conveniently located on Kamehameha Hwy in the Pearl City Plaza, at the top of the back stairs.
Call today for a free consultation
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Not sure where to start?
Here are some answers to help guide you.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY TO GET DIVORCED IN HAWAII?
No, you do not. In order to assist people that wish to handle their own divorce, the Court has prepared packages with all the necessary forms which are available online or at the Courthouse. However, when there are child custody or visitation issues, or it involves significant property issues, at least consulting an attorney is a good idea. Though something may seem simple to provide for, there are many pitfalls that may need to be protected against which if not handled properly can cost you several thousands of dollars to fix later.
WHAT CAN AN ATTORNEY DO FOR ME IN GETTING A DIVORCE OR FIGHTING FOR ME IN A PATERNITY CASE?
The court rules and procedures can be complex and difficult to understand when you are trying to navigate your case. There are specific rules for the presentation of evidence that must be adhered to, specific documents that must be filed to move a case forward, and there are numerous pitfalls to avoid which a non-attorney would not know (and attorneys only know because we have experienced them). An attorney can handle the brunt of the heavy lifting and guide you through the process, can prepare the documents that will increase your chances of success and can present the evidence in the proper fashion so the Court can, and will, consider it. Most importantly, an experienced attorney can tell you likely or unlikely outcomes, and what is a waste of time.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
There is no easy answer to this question, and it can be best summed up as how long do you or your spouse want to fight? If your divorce is uncontested (both parties have agreed to all the terms), then the cost will be much lower than if it is contested. If contested (there is disagreement as to one or more terms), then it can get very expensive, and the final cost is determined by how determined each side is not to compromise. Not all positions can be compromised, but the longer a fight carries on, the more expensive it will get. In my office we work to keep costs down, without sacrificing the quality of the work. Ultimately, though, the actual cost will be up to you and your spouse.
IF I AM GOING TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY, HOW SHOULD I CHOOSE ONE?
The short answer - hire one you feel comfortable with. Speak to several on the phone before setting an appointment and listen to what they are, and are not, saying. Pin them down on how much it costs to meet with them, how much the retainer is, what happens when the retainer is gone, and other concerns you may have regarding the costs. When you meet with them, be prepared to ask questions about what to expect, what their plan is for your case, and about the real costs. Don't be afraid to tell them you are talking with others as well if you don't feel entirely comfortable with whomever you meet with.