News

PMK partnered with HUGS to sponsor a Dad’s night “in” on September 14th.  HUGS is an organization that helps strengthen Hawaii’s families and improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child.

Master Sommelier Patrick Okubo, one of only 4 in Hawaii, provided a virtual wine tutorial for the participants. The dads were very engaged, asked lots of questions and shared lots of laughs.  They also enjoyed a take out pizza dinner to go with their night!

To learn more about HUGS, visit https://www.hugshawaii.org/.

PMK Partner R. Laree McGuire spoke with host Raelene Tenno and Na Lan from Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert on ThinkTech Hawaii’s Condo Insider on September 9, 2021. McGuire and Na Lan discussed obligations and legalities of condominium boards providing access or mandating Covid-19 vaccinations for their owners, renters and guests.

One of the most difficult situations when it comes to divorce in Hawaii is if one parent wants to relocate with their children to another island in-state, a state on the mainland, or even a different country.

In the state of Hawaii, such a decision is especially consequential because joint custody or extensive visitation is virtually impossible, and planning for visits with the noncustodial parent can be burdensome and expensive.

In deciding where children will live, judges – often after consideration with a report from a fact-finder or custody evaluator – look at what is in the best interest of the children. To make a decision, the court examines evidence of factors relevant to their lives such as:
• Academic opportunities
• Accessibility to medical services
• Additional family support
• Religious opportunities
• Cultural opportunities
• Safety and who else resides in the prospective home
• The physical residence and the neighborhood for which it resides
• Childcare
• Quality of life, climate, and demographics
• Travel to see the noncustodial parent
• Communication with the noncustodial parent
• Community resources

Providing a thorough relocation plan that addresses the above issues can strengthen a parent’s case. International relocations have additional complications such as cultural and language concerns.

If you wish to relocate with your children following a divorce, or if your former spouse or significant other is seeking to relocate your children against your wishes, an experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process and advocate for your preferred location.

Seth Harris, a senior associate at the PMK family law division, can help you prepare a relocation plan to strengthen your case for why a move is in the best of your children, or assist you with any of your legal needs related to child relocation and divorce. For more information, go to:www.hawaiilegal.com/practice-areas/family-law-2/.

Partner Christian P. Porter was a featured panelist at the Hawaii Council of Community Associations (HCCA) August 26th Webinar – Is your Condo Building Structurally Sound? Porter discussed ‘Revisiting Fiduciary Duty in Light of the Florida Condo Collapse’, which focused on Board Members’ duties given this recent major event.