Dedicated Family Law Attorney Hilo Hawaii -- Protect Your Family
Big Island parents and spouses trust William Dean to protect their children, their home, and their future — day or night.
HSBA-Licensed • 24/7 Availability • Free Consultation • Hilo-Based • Transparent Pricing
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Family Law in Hawaii -- Protecting What Matters Most
A mother in the Kohala district of Hawaii Island came to the Ohana Law Firm terrified she would lose custody of her two children after her husband filed for divorce. As a family law attorney serving Hilo and the Big Island, William Dean secured full custody for our client, citing her stable home and consistent caregiving history under HRS Section 571-46.
Family law on the Big Island covers divorce, child custody, property division, spousal support, and domestic violence protection. Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but Ohana Law Firm brings the same care to every Big Island family.
Ohana Law Firm serves families across Hawaii Island from our Hilo office. Call anytime — day or night, your call goes straight to an attorney — and a free consultation is available to discuss your situation.
What Is Family Law in Hawaii?
Family law is the area of Hawaii law covering divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence protection. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 580, Hawaii is a no-fault divorce state, and under HRS Chapter 571, Hawaii Family Court decides custody based on the best interests of the child. |
Family law is the area of Hawaii law that governs divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence protection for Big Island families. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 580, Hawaii is a no-fault divorce state, meaning a spouse only needs to show the marriage is irretrievably broken to obtain a divorce, without proving any wrongdoing by either spouse in court.
Family law on the Big Island also includes child custody and visitation under HRS Chapter 571, equitable property division, spousal support, paternity, adoption, and protective orders under HRS Chapter 586. Cases are filed in Hawaii Family Court, a division of the Hawaii Third Circuit Court in Hilo. William Dean represents mothers, fathers, and spouses throughout Hawaii County in both simple, uncontested matters and highly contested family law disputes.
How a Family Law Case Works in Hawaii
- Filing the Petition. Your Big Island family law case begins when a petition for divorce, custody, or a protective order is filed with Hawaii Family Court in Hilo.
- Temporary Orders. The court can issue temporary orders for custody, support, or property use while the case is pending, protecting your children and finances early on.
- Discovery and Disclosure. Both spouses exchange financial records and other evidence relevant to property division, custody, or support under the Hawaii Family Court Rules.
- Negotiation or Mediation. Many Big Island family law cases resolve through negotiation or court-ordered mediation before a trial is ever needed.
- Trial or Final Decree. If the parties cannot agree, William Dean presents your case at trial, and the Family Court issues a final decree on custody, property, and support.
Hawaii Family Law at a Glance
Issue | Hawaii Rule | Typical Timeline |
Uncontested divorce | No-fault, no mandatory waiting period (HRS §580-41) | Approximately 6 to 10 weeks |
Contested divorce | Disputed custody, property, or support issues | 6 months to 2 years or more |
Child custody | Best interests of the child, 16 factors (HRS §571-46) | Varies with case complexity |
Property division | Equitable, not automatically equal (HRS §580-47) | Resolved with the final decree |
Why Choose Ohana Law Firm as Your Family Law Attorney
William Dean, Esq. is a licensed Hawaii attorney (HSBA) who personally understands the pain and difficulty that divorce and custody disputes can bring to a Big Island family.
- Ohana Law Firm has helped both mothers and fathers win full custody of their children, and has helped divorcing spouses win one hundred percent of the marital estate. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
- William Dean holds a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law, an LLM in International Law from George Washington University, and an MS in Finance from Boston College, a combination that supports complex financial accounting in high-asset divorces.
- Your call goes straight to an attorney 24 hours a day, seven days a week — no answering service in between.
- A free consultation is available to discuss your family’s situation before you commit to representation.
- Ohana Law Firm is based in Hilo and serves Big Island families from Kona to Ka’u with transparent, honest pricing.
Facing a divorce or custody dispute on the Big Island? Call 808-430-0704 anytime — day or night — or schedule your free consultation today. |
Family Law and Hawaii Law -- What Makes the Big Island Different
Family law in Hawaii differs from mainland states in several important ways. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 580, Hawaii recognizes only no-fault divorce, based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and there is no mandatory statutory waiting period. A filing spouse must be domiciled in Hawaii, and the Family Court will not enter a final decree until at least six months of continuous domicile has passed.
Hawaii is not a community property state. Under HRS Section 580-47, marital property is divided equitably, meaning fairly but not necessarily equally, based on factors including the length of the marriage and each spouse’s economic circumstances. Child custody follows the best interests of the child standard under HRS Section 571-46, which lists 16 factors, including any history of family violence under HRS Chapter 586.
Big Island divorces often involve unique local issues, including the division of Hawaii real estate in Lava Zones, jointly owned agricultural or vacation rental property, and HARPTA withholding when property must be sold as part of a settlement. William Dean brings Hawaii Island-specific financial experience to each of these disputes.
Coverage Area -- Serving All of Hawaii Island
Ohana Law Firm represents family law clients throughout Hawaii County from our Hilo office. We serve Big Island residents in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka’u, and Hamakua, whether your case is filed in Hawaii Family Court in Hilo or another Big Island district. No matter where you live on Hawaii Island, Ohana Law Firm treats every client like family.
William Dean, Esq. | JD, William S. Richardson School of Law | LLM International Law, George Washington University | MS Finance, Boston College | HSBA Member |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii family law is governed primarily by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 580, which covers divorce, and HRS Chapter 571, which governs Family Court custody matters. HRS Section 571-46 lists 16 factors judges weigh in custody decisions. Every case is unique, so consult an attorney about how these statutes apply to your family.
Family law costs in Hawaii vary based on whether your case is contested and how complex the custody or property issues are. Ohana Law Firm offers a free consultation to review your situation honestly before you commit. Call 808-430-0704 to discuss transparent, upfront pricing for your specific case.
Hawaii has no mandatory waiting period for divorce. Uncontested divorces often finalize in six to ten weeks, while contested cases involving custody or property disputes can take six months to two years. William Dean gives you a realistic timeline for your Big Island case during the free consultation.
Yes. Ohana Law Firm represents family law clients throughout the Big Island, including Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka'u, and Hamakua. Whether your case is filed in Hawaii Family Court in Hilo or another circuit, William Dean is available 24/7 to protect your family's interests island-wide.
Hawaii Family Court decides custody based on the best interests of the child under HRS Section 571-46, which lists 16 factors including each parent's caregiving history, stability, and any history of abuse. Judges do not favor either parent by gender. Every case depends on its specific facts.
No. Hawaii is not a community property state. Under HRS Chapter 580, marital property is divided equitably, meaning fairly but not necessarily equally, based on factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse's economic circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes in your case.