Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Estate Settlement Checklist→Hawaii

How Do I Settle an Estate in Hawaii?

Generate a personalized checklist of steps to settle an estate. A few questions about the situation produce a full process plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Settling an estate in Hawaii involves gathering assets, notifying creditors, paying debts, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Estates with a living trust typically settle within 6-12 months without court involvement. Estates requiring probate take 9-15 months on average, with a minimum 4-month creditor claim period.HRS § 560:3-1201 (small estate affidavit), § 560:3-1203 (summary administration), § 560:3-301 (informal probate), § 560:3-603 (bond), § 560:3-706 (inventory), § 560:3-715 (PR transactions / independent admin), § 560:3-719 (executor compensation), § 560:3-721 (attorney fees), § 560:3-801(a) (estate notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2023, c 158, §41), § 560:3-801(f) (trustee notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2024, c 7, §2), § 560:3-803 (claim limitations), § 607-5(b)(14) (filing fee)Verified May 30, 2026

Hawaii allows estates valued at $100,000 or less to use a Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property, which avoids formal probate.HRS § 560:3-1201 (small estate affidavit), § 560:3-1203 (summary administration), § 560:3-301 (informal probate), § 560:3-603 (bond), § 560:3-706 (inventory), § 560:3-715 (PR transactions / independent admin), § 560:3-719 (executor compensation), § 560:3-721 (attorney fees), § 560:3-801(a) (estate notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2023, c 158, §41), § 560:3-801(f) (trustee notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2024, c 7, §2), § 560:3-803 (claim limitations), § 607-5(b)(14) (filing fee)Verified May 30, 2026 The waiting period is 0 days after death.

Creditors in Hawaii have 4 months to file claims against the estate after proper notice is published.HRS § 560:3-1201 (small estate affidavit), § 560:3-1203 (summary administration), § 560:3-301 (informal probate), § 560:3-603 (bond), § 560:3-706 (inventory), § 560:3-715 (PR transactions / independent admin), § 560:3-719 (executor compensation), § 560:3-721 (attorney fees), § 560:3-801(a) (estate notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2023, c 158, §41), § 560:3-801(f) (trustee notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2024, c 7, §2), § 560:3-803 (claim limitations), § 607-5(b)(14) (filing fee)Verified May 30, 2026 The executor or personal representative must publish notice in a local newspaper and may also need to send direct notice to known creditors. No final distribution should occur until this period expires.

In Hawaii, simple estates typically settle in 6-9 months. Average estates take 9-15 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 15-30 months or longer.HRS § 560:3-1201 (small estate affidavit), § 560:3-1203 (summary administration), § 560:3-301 (informal probate), § 560:3-603 (bond), § 560:3-706 (inventory), § 560:3-715 (PR transactions / independent admin), § 560:3-719 (executor compensation), § 560:3-721 (attorney fees), § 560:3-801(a) (estate notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2023, c 158, §41), § 560:3-801(f) (trustee notice to creditors, two successive weeks, amended L 2024, c 7, §2), § 560:3-803 (claim limitations), § 607-5(b)(14) (filing fee)Verified May 30, 2026

An executor (or personal representative) in Hawaii is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The specific duties depend on whether the estate goes through formal probate or qualifies for simplified procedures. See the Hawaii executor checklist for a step-by-step guide.

Estate settlement costs in Hawaii include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a probate bond. Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the Hawaii probate calculator for a detailed cost estimate.

Settling an Estate in Hawaii

Estate settlement in Hawaii begins with determining whether probate is required. Estates with personal property under $100,000HRS § 560Verified May 30, 2026 may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal court involvement. For larger estates, probate provides a structured process for resolving debts and distributing assets.

The 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)Verified May 30, 2026 creditor claim period in Hawaii is a key factor in the settlement timeline. No final distribution should occur until this period expires. Simple estates close in 6 monthsHRS § 560:3-1201Verified May 30, 2026 to 9 monthsHRS § 560:3-1201Verified May 30, 2026 from the date of filing.

Hawaii bond requirement: NoHRS § 560:3-603Verified May 30, 2026. The bond can be waived through a provision in the will, reducing upfront costs. The executor is responsible for managing estate expenses, filing tax returns, and providing a final accounting to the court and beneficiaries.

Estate settlement expenses in Hawaii include attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and creditor notice publication — typically 3-8% of estate value. Estates held in a revocable living trust avoid probate entirely and settle in weeks rather than months.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 30, 2026

Legal Sources

  • HRS § 560
  • HRS § 560:3-1201
  • HRS § 560:3-603
  • HRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)

Data sourced from Hawaii statutes and official state code. How we research.

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Court filings, creditor windows, frozen accounts — a revocable living trust skips them all.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Hawaii Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Hawaii probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Get Your Estate Settlement Checklist

Answer a few questions to get a personalized checklist for your situation.

This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Death of a Parent

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
Loss of a Spouse

Loss of a Spouse

When you're ready, this won't take long. Settling the estate, claiming survivor benefits, retitling assets, and updating your own plan.

Learn more