How Do I File Probate in Maui County, Hawaii?
A step-by-step guide to filing at the Second Circuit Court—what documents you'll need, where to go, and what happens after you file.
If you're handling probate yourself in Maui County, Hawaii, you can file at the Second Circuit Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 2nd Circuit.
Filings here are routed through Chief Court Administrator, Court & Operational Support Services, Estate & Guardianship, and Legal Documents/File Room. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
Your Filing Options
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Maui County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationPaper Filing Required For
- •Wills submitted for probate proceedings
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Factors like estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree can determine if self-filing at the Second Circuit Court is realistic for your situation. Maui County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
Self-represented filers may file probate without an attorney; JEFS e-filing is optional for them and paper filing is accepted (HEFSR Rule 6.2; JEFS Self-Represented Litigant Guide). Hawaii does not publish a county-specific probate forms packet.
For a detailed cost comparison and filing checklist, see the full Maui County Self-Filing Assessment.
Maui County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Before You File
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.
Document Requirements
Death Certificates: Must be filed as sealed documents per Hawaii Rules of Probate Rule 3 (confidential by rule).
In-Person Filing
The Second Circuit Court is located at Hoapili Hale, 2145 Main Street, Suite 106, Wailuku, HI 96793-1679. Phone: 808-244-2706. Hours: Office: 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri; Counter: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (except State holidays).
What to Bring
To file at the Second Circuit Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Court Resources
The Second Circuit Court runs a self-help center for filers without attorneys, open 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (in-person); other Mon/Thu, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (phone). Call 808-909-2841. Staff can review paperwork for completeness and explain procedures, though they can't give legal advice on a specific case.
Additional resources, forms, and fee schedules are available on the Second Circuit Court website.
Court information verified June 2, 2026 · Source
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Second Circuit Court in Maui County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($100). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
At minimum: petition for probate, application for letters testamentary or of administration, notice to heirs, and an oath for the personal representative. Maui County uses the standard Hawaii probate forms — the court's website lists the current versions.
Hawaii allows informal (unsupervised) probate, which many families handle themselves for simple estates. The Second Circuit Court in Maui County does not require attorney representation. Use the Hawaii self-filing assessment to see if your estate qualifies.
Yes. The Second Circuit Court in Maui County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Assets stay locked, creditors can still pursue them, and beneficiaries cannot sell real property or close accounts. After a few years, interested parties can petition to open probate themselves. Waiting rarely helps. Families who set up a revocable living trust ahead of time bypass this problem entirely.
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.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.
Learn more
