Estate Planning & Probate in Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local Fifth Circuit Court details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Fifth Circuit Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Kauai County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Kauai County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Kauai County→The Probate Process in Kauai County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Kauai, probate runs through the Fifth Circuit Court at Pu'uhonua Kaulike, 3970 Ka'ana Street, Lihue. The court sits in the 5th Circuit.
Full Kauai Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Fifth Circuit Court
Kauai County · 5th Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Bureau of Conveyances
Kauai County · Registrar of Conveyances · Mike H. Imanaka
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
$41 for 1-50 pages, $106 for 51+ pages; a 2-page TOD deed records for $41; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Fifth Circuit Court
The court offers a self-help center, open Monday & Thursday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (phone only; physical location temporarily closed). Staff can review paperwork for completeness and explain procedures, though they cannot provide legal advice. Call 808-909-2836 for details.
Ex Parte Petitions: Do NOT efile directly through JEFS. Submit unfiled original in paper form to the court. Ex parte petitions efiled directly will be processed without opportunity for correction. Case Type Notation: Documents must note proceeding type (Small Estate, Informal, Supervised, Will Deposit, Demand for Notice, No Fault, or Determination of Death). When a proceeding changes form, the same case number (P. No.) is used throughout.
Hawaii Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Kauai County.
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