How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Hawaii?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Circuit Court. Registrar issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration after the court grants the petition.
Along with the petition, Hawaii generally requires: Death certificate — no statute or probate rule conditions an application or petition on filing one, but the mandatory statewide flag sheet requires the petitioner to state what it shows (HPR Rule 81 / Appendix A Flag Sheets 1-A, 1-B), and the Judiciary describes embossed CERTIFIED copies being submitted, sealed on filing (HPR Rule 3(d); HRS 560:1-311); Original will and any codicils (for testate estates); Application for informal probate / appointment OR petition for formal probate / appointment, verified by the applicant (notarized for informal applications) (HRS 560:3-301; HPR Rule 5(a)); Completed informal probate information sheet, in form acceptable to the registrar, with any informal application (HPR Rule 50(c)); Statement of acceptance of the duties of the office (HRS 560:3-601); Bond only if required (HRS 560:3-603) — not required of an informal appointee absent a will requirement or a demand; HPR flag sheet accompanying any petition (HPR Rule 81 / Appendix A flag sheets 1-A, 1-B, 1-C-C, 1-C-CG, 1-D, 1-E, 1-F).
Hawaii does not require a bond by default before Letters issue, though the court can order one.
Hawaii permits self-represented filers to open an estate. E-filing is not open to self-represented filers. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Hawaii.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Hawaii — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
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More tools for settling this estate
Calculators and checklists for navigating probate and estate administration.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter of instruction a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Hire a Hawaii Probate Attorney
Browse 65 probate firms in Hawaii with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Hawaii Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Hawaii probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.