Reviewed August 2026
Spousal Support in Hawaii
Hawaii calls spousal support alimony. The Family Court decides it as part of a divorce case under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 580-47. That same statute also governs property division and custody. Hawaii resolves alimony as one part of the overall divorce case, not under a separate alimony law. Hawaii has no statutory formula for calculating alimony. The court weighs a set of factors covering each spouse's financial situation, age, health, and the length of the marriage. It uses these to decide whether an award is appropriate, and if so, how much and for how long. Alimony in Hawaii can be ordered for a limited period or without a fixed end date, depending on the circumstances. Either spouse can request it as part of the case.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how spousal support works under Hawaii law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Hawaii paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The legal standard under HRS § 580-47
HRS § 580-47 directs the Family Court to weigh several factors. These include the respective merits of the parties, their relative abilities, and the condition each will be left in after the divorce. The court also weighs the burdens placed on either party to support children, plus all other circumstances of the case. This includes each spouse's income, vocational skills, employability, and the standard of living set during the marriage. The statute gives the court broad discretion rather than a fixed checklist.
How amount and duration are decided
Because Hawaii sets no formula, the amount and duration of an award depend on the specific facts. Each spouse's earning capacity, health, and the length of the marriage all matter. Courts often favor a set term when a spouse has a reasonable path to becoming self-supporting. Longer marriages, or big gaps in earning capacity, can support longer awards.
Modification of an existing order
An alimony order can be modified if either spouse shows a substantial change in circumstances since the order was entered. This might include a significant change in income, employment, or health. A request to modify goes to the Family Court that handled the original divorce case.
Termination on remarriage
Hawaii courts generally treat the recipient's remarriage as grounds to end alimony. The financial need behind the award usually changes once someone remarries. A paying spouse who learns of the recipient's remarriage should still bring the matter to the Family Court for a formal termination order. The obligation does not end on its own.
Sources: Hawaii State Judiciary - Self-Help Center, IRS Tax Topic 452, Alimony and Separate Maintenance
Not independently confirmed
- The Hawaii Revised Statutes site (capitol.hawaii.gov) could not be confirmed at HTTP 200; the § 580-47 citation should be confirmed directly at the Hawaii State Legislature's HRS website or through the Hawaii State Judiciary Self-Help Center before publishing.
- Whether Hawaii has a codified cohabitation-modification provision separate from the general change-of-circumstances standard was not independently confirmed.
Spousal Support in Hawaii: frequently asked questions
What is spousal support called in Hawaii?+
Hawaii statute and courts commonly use the term alimony. Hawaii Revised Statutes § 580-47 actually covers the broader support and property disposition in a divorce. The Family Court decides it as part of the divorce case.
Does Hawaii have a formula for calculating alimony?+
No. Hawaii has no statutory formula. HRS § 580-47 lists broad factors, including each spouse's financial condition, employability, and the length of the marriage. The Family Court has discretion in weighing them.
How long does alimony last in Hawaii?+
There is no fixed statutory duration. Courts can order alimony for a defined period, often to let a spouse become self-supporting. Or they can order it without a fixed end date. This depends on the length of the marriage and the parties' financial circumstances.
Can alimony be changed after a Hawaii divorce is final?+
Yes. Either spouse can ask the Family Court to modify an alimony order. They must show a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered, such as a significant change in income, employment, or health.
Does remarriage end alimony in Hawaii?+
Generally yes. Hawaii courts typically treat the recipient's remarriage as grounds to terminate alimony. But the paying spouse should get a formal court order rather than stopping payments without a ruling.
Is alimony taxable in Hawaii?+
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, federal law changed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The paying spouse can no longer deduct alimony, and the recipient no longer reports it as taxable income. Agreements executed before 2019 generally keep the older tax treatment unless later modified.
This page is general information about spousal support in Hawaii, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Hawaii's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Hawaii. Virdix does not prepare or file Hawaii divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Hawaii.
More Hawaii divorce guides
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