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Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 580-9 (2026)

  Temporary support, etc

✓ current as of July 2026
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     §580-9  Temporary support, etc.  After the filing of a complaint for divorce or separation the court may make such orders relative to the personal liberty and support of either spouse pending the complaint as the court may deem fair and reasonable and may enforce the orders by summary process.  The court may also compel either spouse to advance reasonable amounts for the compensation of witnesses and other expenses of the trial, including attorney's fees, to be incurred by the other spouse and may from time to time amend and revise the orders. [L 1870, c 16, §10; L 1872, c 18; am L 1903, c 22, §§2, 8; RL 1925, §2978; RL 1935, §4473; RL 1945, §12224; am L 1955, c 79, §1; RL 1955, §324-34; am L 1966, c 22, §6; HRS §580-9; am L 1973, c 211, §5(e); am L 1974, c 65, pt of §2; gen ch 1985]

 

Case Notes

 

  Allowance of legal fees and their amount is in discretion of the court.  5 H. 23 (1883).  Sound discretion of the trial judge will not be reviewed by appellate court.  25 H. 274 (1920).  Wife's expense money and attorney's fees in resisting revocation of alimony may be taxed to husband.  23 H. 639 (1917); 34 H. 22 (1936); 38 H. 233 (1948).  Wife's expense for counsel on appeal to supreme court.  30 H. 61 (1927); 35 H. 69 (1939); 35 H. 382 (1940); 38 H. 647 (1950).  Application by wife for fees on appeal must be timely.  49 H. 688, 702, 427 P.2d 86 (1967).  Award of attorney's fees, abuse of discretion.  49 H. 576, 424 P.2d 671 (1967).  Does not authorize award of attorney's fees against wife.  49 H. 688, 700, 427 P.2d 86 (1967).  And where case is discontinued.  28 H. 487 (1925).  Allowance of counsel fees in equity suit for separate maintenance.  38 H. 148 (1948).

  Statutory attorney's fees not taxed in divorce and separation cases.  5 H. 175 (1884).

  Husband not liable at law for fee of attorney in defending wife in divorce case.  19 H. 463 (1909).  Attorney's fees cannot be awarded as damages or costs where not so provided by statute, stipulation or agreement.  40 H. 179 (1953); 49 H. 688, 700, 427 P.2d 86 (1967).

  Jurisdiction over person and property of the one against whom decree awarding alimony is made is necessary, otherwise decree is void.  24 H. 239 (1918).  Decree of divorce annuls temporary alimony order.  25 H. 274 (1920).  Contempt.  30 H. 80 (1927); 35 H. 541 (1940).

  Motion in supreme court on appeal for expenses in that court and for temporary alimony, denied, it appearing lower court had denied such a motion.  25 H. 172 (1919).  Allowances for temporary alimony or expenses, when proper.  44 H. 491, 355 P.2d 188 (1960).

  Award of attorney's fees is in discretion of court.  58 H. 227, 566 P.2d 1104 (1977).

  Temporary support.  58 H. 227, 566 P.2d 1104 (1977).

  Section authorizes attorney's fees in a proceeding after entry of final divorce decree.  59 H. 32, 575 P.2d 468 (1978).

  Family court did not abuse its discretion in requiring husband to advance amounts totaling $55,450 for trial expenses in divorce proceedings.  The requirement appeared to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances considering the financial abilities of the parties, because wife's trial expenses were increased by husband's filing of:  (1) five motions for partial summary judgment, which required extensive expert review of voluminous financial documents; (2) a motion for reconsideration of an order granting and denying in part a motion to compel; and (3) a motion in limine.  138 H. 185, 378 P.3d 901 (2016).

  Intermediate court of appeals did not err in affirming family court consideration of husband's financial resources in ordering temporary spousal support for wife during the pendency of divorce proceedings, because:  (1) the temporary spousal support award appeared to have been "fair and reasonable" in light of husband's significant financial resources, which were sufficient to cover expenses for both himself and wife during the divorce; and (2) the family court's finding in support of the temporary spousal support award referred to wife's income and expense statement and the parties' previous use of husband's inheritance funds for marital expenses.  138 H. 185, 378 P.3d 901 (2016).

  Where neither party had sufficient income, it was not error to impair jointly owned marital property pendente lite.  1 H. App. 617, 623 P.2d 1265 (1981).

  Family court did not abuse its discretion by extending wife's temporary support award during the pendency of the case.  134 H. 431 (App.), 341 P.3d 1231 (2014).

 

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Hamilton v. Hamilton., 378 P.3d 901 (Haw. 2016).
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Hamilton v. Hamilton., 378 P.3d 901 (Haw. 2016). · cites it 6× “The family court is authorized to order temporary support under HRS § 580-9 (2006), which provides, in relevant part: After the filing of a complaint for divorce or separation the court may make such orders relative to the personal liberty and support of either spouse pending…”
Farias v. Farias, 566 P.2d 1104 (Haw. 1977). · cites it 8× “Richards supra, this court considered the provisions of the predecessor to HRS § 580-9, R.L.H. 1955, § 324-34. 5 We stated at 44 Haw.”
Cain v. Cain, 575 P.2d 468 (Haw. 1978). · cites it 5× “The only statute which could provide authority for an award of attorney’s fees in this case is HRS § 580-9 (1976 Repl.), which states: § 580-9 Temporary support, etc.”
Horst v. Horst, 623 P.2d 1265 (Haw. App. 1981). · cites it 5× “00 savings account was not specifically awarded, but husband was given $1,238.00 credit as against the amount he was required to pay wife and her attorney so we conclude that the account was awarded to husband.”
Jacoby v. Jacoby, 341 P.3d 1231 (Haw. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “12 Under HRS § 580-9 (2006), the court may award temporary spousal support “pending the complaint as the court may deem fair and reasonable.”
A.P. v. S.B. (Haw. 2026). · cites it 10× “2005), while this case involves temporary spousal support under HRS § 580-9. The former required the family court to consider thirteen specific factors "[i]n addition to any other relevant factors[.”
T.H. v. N.H., 153 Haw. 445 (Haw. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “" HRS §§ 580-9 and -47(f) (2018). The family court noted the earning capacity of each party.”
In re Adoption of a Male Child, 544 P.2d 728 (Haw. 1975). · cites it 2× “Compare, HRS § 580-9; HRS § 583-7(g), -8(c), -15(b).”
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