For anyone planning an estate in Hawaii or settling one: what a will or trust costs, whether an estate needs probate, what executors and trustees are paid, and the taxes on an inheritance, each answered under Hawaii law.
36 tools for Hawaii
Probate in Hawaii takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees of typically 2.3%HRS § 560:3-721 (court reviews attorney compensation for reasonableness; no statutory fee schedule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.6%HRS § 560:3-721 (court reviews attorney compensation for reasonableness; no statutory fee schedule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Hawaii authorizes transfer on death deedsHRS 527-1 to 527-17Verified Jul 15, 2026: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
Hawaii does not offer a transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title; a vehicle passes by will, trust, joint title, or probate.
In Hawaii, informal probate is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
In Hawaii, the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative and the Registrar issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
In Hawaii, creditors have 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)(A)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
When an estate owes more than it holds, Hawaii pays the claims in 7Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
Hawaii requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040HRS § 235-51(c), § 235-2.4(a)(2)(F); Act 46 SLH 2024 (H.B. 2404)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
In Hawaii, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.3%HRS § 560:3-721 (court reviews attorney compensation for reasonableness; no statutory fee schedule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.6%HRS § 560:3-721 (court reviews attorney compensation for reasonableness; no statutory fee schedule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Settling an estate in Hawaii: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsHRS §§ 560:3-801, 560:3-803, 560:3-805, 560:3-806 (am L 2023, c 158; § 3-801 am L 2024, c 7)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Settling a trust in Hawaii happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeHRS Ch. 554D (Uniform Trust Code)Verified Jul 15, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysHRS §§ 554D-813, 554D-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
After a death in Hawaii, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000HRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)(A)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.