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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Hawaii
Free forms for settling an estate in Hawaii: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Hawaii, the petition asks the Circuit Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Hawaii, creditors have 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)(A)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Hawaii, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveHRS § 560:3-203(c)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Hawaii, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyHRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000HRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Closing
In Hawaii, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsHRS §§ 560:3-1003(b), 560:3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
IRS Form 1310
Claim a refund due a deceased taxpayer on the official form, on the box the form routes you to, with what the form says to attach.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.
Affidavit of Death
In Hawaii, a surviving joint owner records the “Affidavit to note the death of a spouseHawaii Bureau of Conveyances, FAQs (Ownership Status and/or Tenancy)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source”.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Hawaii
Free tools for settling an estate in Hawaii: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Hawaii pays executors reasonable compensationHRS § 560:3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; the § 607-18 percentage schedule applies to trustees, not personal representatives)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Hawaii, informal probate is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Hawaii, the Registrar issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Hawaii, creditors have 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)(A)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Hawaii pays the claims in 7Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Hawaii, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, Unclaimed Property ProgramHaw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 523A (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act), 523A-19(c); heir affidavit under Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201, 560:3-1202Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Hire a Hawaii Probate Attorney
Browse 65 probate firms in Hawaii with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Hawaii Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Hawaii probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.