Alimony, spousal support, spousal maintenance, or domestic partner support (collectively, spousal support) is generally financial support in the form of periodic payments (usually monthly) paid by one spouse or domestic partner to the other spouse or domestic partner upon divorce.

The person paying spousal support or the person receiving spousal support may seek to modify the court’s order for support—usually by increasing it or decreasing it—due to a material change in circumstances of the person paying support or the person receiving support.

Spousal support laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the family or domestic code.

In Hawaii, alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is financial assistance provided by one spouse to the other following a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living similar to that enjoyed during the marriage, especially if there is a significant disparity in the earning capacities of the spouses. Hawaii courts consider several factors when determining alimony, including the length of the marriage, the financial resources of each spouse, their earning capacities, ages, and the needs of each party. The support may be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances. Either party can request a modification of the alimony order if there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, employment status, or health of either spouse. These requests are made through the court system, and the court will decide whether to adjust the support payments. The specific statutes governing alimony in Hawaii can be found in the Hawaii Revised Statutes, particularly within the sections pertaining to domestic relations law.