How Much Does Probate Cost in Maui County, Hawaii?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Maui County can expect.
What probate costs in Maui County, Hawaii comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Second Circuit Court at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Suite 106, Wailuku. The court is part of the 2nd Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through Chief Court Administrator, Court & Operational Support Services, Estate & Guardianship, and Legal Documents/File Room. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: 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; Death Certificates: Must be filed as sealed documents per Hawaii Rules of Probate Rule 3 (confidential by rule); 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. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Maui County runs a probate self-help center (2nd & 4th Thursday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (in-person); other Mon/Thu, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (phone)), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 808-909-2841.
Hawaii charges $100HRS § 607-5(b)(14); Hawaii Judiciary Circuit Court Filing Fee Schedule (eff. 6/17/2022)Verified May 30, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Second Circuit Court (https://jimspss1.courts.state.hi.us/JIMSExternal/login.iface). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Hawaii are negotiated, typically 2%HRS § 560:3-721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 30, 2026 to 4%HRS § 560:3-721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 30, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%HRS § 560:3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 30, 2026 to 4%HRS § 560:3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 30, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Hawaii requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Hawaii typically runs 9 monthsHRS § 560:3-1201Verified May 30, 2026 to 15 monthsHRS § 560:3-1201Verified May 30, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)Verified May 30, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- HRS § 560:3-1201
- HRS § 560:3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- HRS § 560:3-721 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- HRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)
- HRS § 607-5(b)(14); Hawaii Judiciary Circuit Court Filing Fee Schedule (eff. 6/17/2022)
Data sourced from Hawaii statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Maui County, that means filing fees ($100 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $100 in Maui County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Hawaii uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Hawaii allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Hawaii estates under $100,000 can use a Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property and avoid most probate costs. Check the Hawaii self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Maui County probate.
Second Circuit Court
Maui County
Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Suite 106
Wailuku, HI 96793-1679
Phone:
808-244-2706Fax:
808-244-2777
Hours:
Office: 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri; Counter: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (except State holidays)
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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