Blog

Divorce changes a lot. It changes your household, your finances, your daily routines, and often your plans for the future. What many people don't realize is that divorce does not automatically update their estate plan. Over the years, I've met with many Hawaiʻi residents who assumed their legal affairs were in order after a divorce. They had finalized the divorce, updated accounts, and moved on with life. Yet when we reviewed their estate planning documents, we often discover

For many stepfathers and father figures, the difference between being a parent and being recognized as one can be surprisingly large. The real father figure is the one who shows up. He learns the children's routines, remembers their allergies, attends their games and recitals, and helps them navigate life's challenges. He becomes family in every meaningful sense of the word. The law, however, often sees things differently. In Hawaiʻi and throughout the United States, a steppa

If you’re part of a blended family here in Honolulu or elsewhere in Hawaiʻi, you may assume the most fair and straightforward plan is: “I’ll leave everything to my spouse — they’ll take care of my kids.” It’s a natural instinct. It feels loving, simple, and practical. But for blended families, this approach often creates outcomes you never intended. Let’s walk through what can happen — and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Why “Everything to My Spouse” Feels Like the Rig