Case ID: haw_56/html/0543-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Per Curiam.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Adoption of A MALE CHILD, Born May 10, 1969
    NO. 5742
    DECEMBER 24, 1975
    RICHARDSON, C.J., KOBAYASHI, OGATA, MENOR AND KIDWELL, JJ.
    
      Ian L. Mattock, (Mattock, Kemper & Brown, of counsel) for appellant.
    
      Helen B. Ryan, (Ryan & Ryan, of counsel) for petitioner-appellee.
   Per Curiam.

This is an appeal from a decree of adoption and the award of attorneys’ fees to the appellee. The decree of adoption is set aside and the cause is remanded for a new hearing in the light of Willmott v. Decker, 56 Haw. 462, 541 P.2d 13 (1975). See also Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U.S. 645 (1972); Miller v. Miller, 504 F.2d 1067 (9th Cir. 1974).

Attorneys’ fees may not ordinarily be awarded as damages or costs in the absence of statute, stipulation or agreement. Salvador v. Popaa, 56 Haw. 111, 530 P.2d 7 (1974). Rule 87 (e) of the Hawaii Family Court Rules, adopted by the Board of Family Court Judges, does not provide the requisite authority for its allowance in this case. 
      
       See HRS § 571-5.
     
      
       Compare, HRS § 580-9; HRS § 583-7(g), -8(c), -15(b).