You Deserve to Be Treated Fairly
Hawaii Domestic Dispute Mediation and Custody Investigation
Hawaii Family Court
Are you fighting with your spouse over the custody and co-parenting of your children?
Divorce is already a difficult and emotionally charged process. When children are involved, the stress is often multiplied by ten. On the surface, everyone agrees that a child’s safety and well-being are the most important things. And yet…… fighting, yelling, hostility, and bad-mouthing ultimately hurt your child in ways that may scar them for life. Emotions tend to run high, and charges of neglect and abuse will affect the court’s decision on custody and visitation. In addition to an attorney, there are several other alternatives to help you through this process.
Mediation is a process where the parties come together with a neutral third party to work out a mutually agreeable arrangement regarding any conflict, such as division of property, custody, and/or co-parenting timeshare, child support, etc.
In child custody cases, if the parents cannot find agreement in mediation, the judge will often turn to a neutral third party to investigate and submit a report to the court. In Hawaii, these official neutral investigators fall into three categories: Child Custody Evaluator (CE), Guardian ad Litem (GAL), and Best Interest Fact Finders (BIFF).
Mediation & Best Interest Fact Finder
Why Hire a Mediator?
I help couples work out their differences.
Do you need a lawyer to participate in mediation?
Absolutely not.
Why Hire a BIFF?
I will always be fair and impartial.
Do you need a lawyer to hire a BIFF?
Absolutely not.
Attorney vs. No Attorney
If you have an attorney, your attorney will want to assist you in choosing an appropriate mediator and/or custody investigator. Listen to your lawyer. He/she will have experience and will have someone with whom they feel comfortable.
On the other hand, if you have no attorney, you will want to choose an appropriate mediator and/or custody investigator with whom you feel comfortable. I will be happy to meet with you either via phone, Zoom, or face-to-face, at no charge, to assist with compatibility. Compatibility is a two-way street. I will want to be comfortable with you as well. I will always be fair and impartial.
But remember: Attorney or no attorney, although I have a Juris Doctorate in Law, I cannot give you legal advice. Even if you beg. It’s the law.
Why Hire a Mediator?
You Know You're Right!
In your heart, you KNOW that you’re 100% right. So why not just go to court and let the judge rule 100% in your favor?
Your Odds in Court
First of all, when you go to court, you take your chances. Don’t count on the judge ruling in your favor. Judges are people, too. They may not see it your way (even though you are 100% right). The judge may only give you 50% of what you want. In fact, the judge may only give you 10% of what you want. Do you like those odds?
Controlling the Outcome
When you go to court, you have no control over the outcome. When you attend mediation, you have complete control over the outcome. You either come to a mutual agreement, or you walk away. No one can force you into a position you don’t agree to. You have self-determination.
Money, Money, Money....
If you have a lawyer, the court is expensive! If you don’t have a lawyer, the judge is almost certain to order you to mediation before making a ruling (particularly in Family Court). Even if you do have a lawyer, the judge may order you to mandatory mediation before making a final ruling. One way or another, you are probably going to end up in mediation at some point, anyway.
Remember!
What the Heck is a BIFF, and Why Should I Hire One?
Custody & Visitation Decisions are Hard.
He says. She says. Maybe one of you is right, and the other is wrong. Probably you're both partly right. What is important is the best interest of the child(ren).
A BIFF is a neutral 3rd party
If you and your partner cannot reach an agreement, the judge will often turn to a neutral third party to investigate and submit a report to the court. In Hawaii, these official neutral investigators fall into three categories: Child Custody Evaluator (CE), Guardian ad Litem (GAL), and Best Interest Fact Finder (BIFF).
Remember:
Contact Us!
Note:
Suppose you don’t have a lawyer? Can you still hire a mediator? Absolutely. Just remember that although I have a Juris Doctorate in Law, I cannot give you legal advice. Even if you beg. It’s the law.
BIFF Hawaii
Get in Touch!
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