Hawaii Custody (Parenting) Plan

Hawaii courts require the parents of any contested child custody case to submit a proposed parenting plan.^[2] The proposed parenting plan may be filed jointly or separately, outlining parental responsibilities and decision-making processes.

In Hawaii, child support is calculated using the state’s child support guidelines.^[3] Factors that are considered by the court when determining the amount of child support include the income and earnings potential of both parents, the needs of the child, whether other children are under the parents’ care, and whether the standard of living can be balanced for both parents.

Use the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to estimate the amount of child support that will be ordered by the court.

Fill out a court-issued parenting plan form. After completing the form, the original document should be filed with the court electronically or in person at a local Family Court.

Each party should prepare testimonies and bring any written documentation that helps to prove their position, such as police reports or medical reports.

If the parties still have not reached an agreement at the conclusion of the hearing, the court may order the parties to participate in alternative dispute resolution or counseling with a professional. The court may also develop and file a detailed parenting plan as it sees fit.^[4]