HI STATE GUIDE · INITIAL RESEARCH
Hawaii Alimony and Spousal Support: State Guide
Hawaii uses the term “spousal support.” Hawaii courts may award spousal support and maintenance as part of a divorce decree. The statute directs the court to make a just and equitable decision based on the parties’ circumstances.
Quick orientation. Section 580-47 identifies factors including the parties’ respective merits, income and resources, needs, ability to pay, age and health, marriage duration, standard of living, custodial responsibilities, and the effect of property division. No single factor guarantees an outcome.
LOCAL NEXT STEPS · HAWAII
Prepare for a local conversation.
Organize financial records with the preparation checklist. For legal help near you, use the ABA referral directory or search the LSC legal-aid locator by city or address. Providers set their own service areas, eligibility, and availability.
Terminology: People may say “alimony,” while state statutes and courts may use terms such as “maintenance” or “spousal support.” This guide uses the terminology found in the cited source; court documents and local practice should be checked directly.
How Hawaii law approaches support
Hawaii courts may award spousal support and maintenance as part of a divorce decree. The statute directs the court to make a just and equitable decision based on the parties’ circumstances.
Section 580-47 identifies factors including the parties’ respective merits, income and resources, needs, ability to pay, age and health, marriage duration, standard of living, custodial responsibilities, and the effect of property division. No single factor guarantees an outcome.
Duration, modification, and termination
The court sets support terms in the decree and may later revise an order as authorized by law. Review the order’s language and current statute before assuming a payment will continue or terminate on a specific event.
Do not stop, change, or withhold court-ordered payments based on a general website summary. A court order, approved agreement, or required court process may control.
Questions to take to a Hawaii attorney
- Which current statute and court rules apply to my Hawaii case?
- Is the issue temporary support, final support, a private agreement, or modification of an existing order?
- What financial records and evidence are most important under the factors described above?
- How do the property division, child-related responsibilities, and each person’s earning capacity affect the analysis?
- What event or legal standard could change or end the specific order?
Official sources and research scope
The following sources are starting points for reviewing the current legal text. Read the full provision, connected rules, amendments, and effective dates that apply to the case.
This page summarizes selected law for general education. It is not a complete explanation of Hawaii law and does not predict a court result.
Content status: Initial education-only research summary, not reviewed by a Hawaii-licensed attorney. Sources checked October 17, 2026. Verify current statutes, court rules, and effective dates before relying on this page.
Sources checked October 17, 2026 · Read the disclaimer