Spousal Support in Hawaii
State-specific overview · Family Law
Hawaii courts award spousal support based on ten statutory factors, with no fixed duration limits for long marriages.
How Hawaii treats Spousal Support
Hawaii law (HRS § 580-47) requires courts to consider factors including the standard of living, earning capacity, age, health, and length of marriage when determining spousal support. For marriages of 20 years or longer, courts may award permanent alimony rather than time-limited support. The court has broad discretion to award temporary support during divorce proceedings and permanent support after the decree, with awards modifiable if circumstances change significantly.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii.