Alimony and Spousal Support in Hawaii
How Hawaii decides spousal support (alimony), the factors courts weigh, and how marital property is divided.
Short answer: The court may order spousal support and maintenance that is just and equitable. Factors include each spouse's financial resources, the ability of the spouse seeking support to meet needs independently, length of the marriage, standard of living, age, physical and emotional condition… HRS § 580-47(a)
| Alimony (spousal support) | The court may order spousal support and maintenance that is just and equitable. Factors include each spouse's financial resources, the ability of the spouse seeking support to meet needs independently, length of the marriage, standard of living, age, physical and emotional condition, usual occupation, job skills and employability, child custody and support responsibilities, the other spouse's ability to pay, and how long the need is likely to last. Support may be ordered for an indefinite period or a set period; if it is tied to training or education, it must last long enough to finish and then find a job. There is no fixed formula. Source: HRS § 580-47(a) |
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| Dividing property | Upon divorce, the court divides the spouses' property (whether community, joint, or separate) and assigns responsibility for debts in a way that is just and equitable. The court considers the respective merits of the parties, their relative abilities, the condition each will be left in, burdens for the benefit of the children, any concealment or failure to disclose income or assets, and all other circumstances. Source: HRS § 580-47(a) |
Where to get help in Hawaii
More Hawaii divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Hawaii
- Adopting a Child in Hawaii
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Hawaii
- Establishing Paternity in Hawaii
- Changing Your Name in Hawaii
- Child Custody Laws in Hawaii
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Hawaii
- Divorce Records in Hawaii
- How to File for Divorce in Hawaii
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Hawaii
- All Hawaii divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How is alimony decided in Hawaii?
The court may order spousal support and maintenance that is just and equitable. Factors include each spouse's financial resources, the ability of the spouse seeking support to meet needs independently, length of the marriage, standard of living, age, physical and emotional condition, usual occupation, job skills and employability, child custody and support responsibilities, the other spouse's ability to pay, and how long the need is likely to last. Support may be ordered for an indefinite period or a set period; if it is tied to training or education, it must last long enough to finish and then find a job. There is no fixed formula.
Is Hawaii a community property state?
Upon divorce, the court divides the spouses' property (whether community, joint, or separate) and assigns responsibility for debts in a way that is just and equitable. The court considers the respective merits of the parties, their relative abilities, the condition each will be left in, burdens for the benefit of the children, any concealment or failure to disclose income or assets, and all other circumstances.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.