How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Hawaii?
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.
File the claim with 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. The search and the claim start at the office's site. An heir files a signed claim form, notarized for claims valued at $50 or more or for stock, mutual fund shares or safe deposit box contents, with photo identification and proof that the deceased owned the propertyDeceased Owner Claim Instructions (2025.11.28)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Heirs can claim without letters from a probate court through the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (Judiciary form 3CE210), for an estate of $100,000 or lessDeceased Owner Claim Instructions (2025.11.28)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source. If the deceased had no trust or probate documents and the gross value of the estate in Hawaii does not exceed $100,000, an heir may submit a signed and notarized Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent instead of probate authorityDeceased Owner Claim Instructions (2025.11.28)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
A power of attorney does not authorize anyone to file a claim on behalf of a deceased reported owner. Heirs claim through the deceased-owner process with proof of death and authorityOwner Frequently Asked Questions (Hawaii Unclaimed Property Program)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. With letters from a probate court, the claim is made by the person the probate documents authorize to claim for the deceased owner's estateDeceased Owner Claim Instructions (2025.11.28)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Every state where the person had an address can hold some of the property: the holding company reports it to the state of the owner's last-known address, and to its own home state where it has no address on record. MissingMoney.com searches most states at once. Insurance, savings bonds, pensions, refunds and failed-bank deposits sit in federal and national databases: the Treasury (TreasuryDirect), PBGC, the IRS, the FDIC, the NCUA, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator and the VA.
A finder agreement made from the time the property is presumed abandoned until 24 months after it reaches the State is void. A later agreement must be in writing, signed by the owner, and state the property's value before and after the fee; a fee above 25 percent can be cut to 25 percent in courtHaw. Rev. Stat. § 523A-25Verified Oct 26, 2026View source. The same property can be claimed directly through the state's own program, which charges no fee.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
Learn more
Inheritance
Inheriting assets brings responsibility. How to manage, protect, and plan for inherited wealth — including tax implications and trust options.
Learn moreForms 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 Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
Hire a Hawaii Probate Attorney
Browse 65 probate firms in Hawaii with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Hawaii Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Hawaii probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.