What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Hawaii?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Hawaii estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Hawaii is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Hawaii lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
No. An executor in Hawaii can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Hawaii, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Hawaii requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Hawaii, estates valued at $100,000HRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyHRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Hawaii lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Hawaii
Free forms for settling an estate in Hawaii: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Hawaii, the petition asks the Circuit Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Hawaii, creditors have 4 monthsHRS § 560:3-803(a)(1)(A)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Hawaii, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveHRS § 560:3-203(c)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Hawaii, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal PropertyHRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000HRS § 560:3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Hawaii, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysHRS § 560:3-706Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Hawaii, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsHRS §§ 560:3-1003(b), 560:3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Hawaii
Free tools for settling an estate in Hawaii: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Hawaii pays executors reasonable compensationHRS § 560:3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage; the § 607-18 percentage schedule applies to trustees, not personal representatives)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File 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.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Hawaii, the Registrar issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative; an informal (registrar) track is availableHRS § 560:3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
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.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
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.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Hawaii, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, Unclaimed Property ProgramHaw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 523A (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act), 523A-19(c); heir affidavit under Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201, 560:3-1202Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
Hire a Hawaii Probate Attorney
Browse 65 probate firms in Hawaii with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Hawaii Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Hawaii probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.