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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationHawaii

Probate in Hawaii

What Hawaii’s own law and courts say about probate, from how an estate comes before the court to when creditors must claim. Nothing on this page decides whether a particular estate needs probate. That question belongs to the court, or to an attorney in Hawaii.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Which court hears probate, and the case number the clerk gives each estate

These Rules govern the procedure in the circuit courts of the State of Hawai‘i in all probate, conservatorship, guardianship, trust, legal representation for no fault benefits, and determination of death proceedings

The clerk shall assign a P. No. to each probate case matter directly related to the administration of a deceased's estate.

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 1(a), 50(a)

An informal application for probate, and the information sheet that must go with it

Any informal application that seeks probate of a will, determination of intestacy, or appointment of a personal representative shall be accompanied by a completed informal probate information sheet, in form acceptable to the registrar.

To help the registrar determine whether advance notice will be required in informal applications, an informal probate information sheet that summarizes the nature of the proceeding must be filed.

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 50(c) and commentary

A will deposited with the court after a death: who may see it, and how long it is kept

Any individual may deposit with the court the original will and any codicils for safekeeping without probate after the death of the individual who executed the will.

A will, once deposited, shall be considered a public document and open for inspection by the general public. No certified copies of deposited wills may be issued.

an original will deposited with the court shall be maintained for 20 years after the death of the person who executed the will

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 74(a), (c), (d)

What the person holding a will must do when asked for it, as the court’s rules describe the statute

although HRS § 560:2-516 provides that a custodian of a will, on request of an interested person, must deliver the will to a person able to secure its probate or to an appropriate court.

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 74 commentary (describing HRS §560:2-516)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

These Rules govern the procedure in the circuit courts of the State of Hawai‘i in all probate, conservatorship, guardianship, trust, legal representation for no fault benefits, and determination of death proceedings

The clerk shall assign a P. No. to each probate case matter directly related to the administration of a deceased's estate.

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 1(a), 50(a)

Any informal application that seeks probate of a will, determination of intestacy, or appointment of a personal representative shall be accompanied by a completed informal probate information sheet, in form acceptable to the registrar.

To help the registrar determine whether advance notice will be required in informal applications, an informal probate information sheet that summarizes the nature of the proceeding must be filed.

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 50(c) and commentary

although HRS § 560:2-516 provides that a custodian of a will, on request of an interested person, must deliver the will to a person able to secure its probate or to an appropriate court.

Any individual may deposit with the court the original will and any codicils for safekeeping without probate after the death of the individual who executed the will.

A will, once deposited, shall be considered a public document and open for inspection by the general public. No certified copies of deposited wills may be issued.

an original will deposited with the court shall be maintained for 20 years after the death of the person who executed the will

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 74(a), (c), (d)

Any individual may deposit with the court the original will and any codicils for safekeeping without probate after the death of the individual who executed the will.

A will, once deposited, shall be considered a public document and open for inspection by the general public. No certified copies of deposited wills may be issued.

an original will deposited with the court shall be maintained for 20 years after the death of the person who executed the will

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 74(a), (c), (d)

Any individual may deposit with the court the original will and any codicils for safekeeping without probate after the death of the individual who executed the will.

A will, once deposited, shall be considered a public document and open for inspection by the general public. No certified copies of deposited wills may be issued.

an original will deposited with the court shall be maintained for 20 years after the death of the person who executed the will

Hawaii · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Haw. Prob. R. 74(a), (c), (d)

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