The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Hawaii with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
This page is built to print. Use your browser's Print command and choose "Save as PDF" for a one-page Hawaii reference. Every figure below is compiled from the statutes and state authorities listed at the bottom — the same sources cited on our Hawaii probate pages.
Hawaii probate fees
| Item | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | The base probate filing fee in the Circuit Court is about $100 (HRS § 607-5.5), plus newspaper publication of the notice to creditors (commonly $150–$300). |
| Attorney fees | Not statutory. Attorneys charge hourly ($300–$450/hr) or a flat fee; some use percentage arrangements. Fees must be reasonable and are reviewable under HRS § 560:3-721. |
| Executor / personal representative fees | Reasonable compensation under HRS § 560:3-719, not a fixed percentage — in practice often 2%–4% of the estate. Family personal representatives frequently waive it. |
| Fee basis | reasonable |
| Appraisal / referee | Not used. Hawaii does not appoint a state appraiser. The personal representative prepares an inventory and may hire appraisers as needed. |
Worked example
On a $500,000 Hawaii estate there is no statutory percentage; a personal representative's fee of about 2–4% ($10,000–$20,000) would be typical for ordinary administration, subject to court review under HRS §560:3-721.
Hawaii thresholds and deadlines
| Item | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Small-estate threshold | Estates not exceeding $100,000 can use simplified procedures — a small-estate affidavit for personal property and summary administration — under HRS § 560:3-1201 and the Uniform Probate Code's small-estate provisions. |
| Creditor claim period | Creditors generally have 4 months from the first newspaper publication of the notice to creditors (HRS § 560:3-801) to present claims, or 18 months from death if no notice is published (HRS § 560:3-803). |
| Typical duration | About 6 to 12 months for a routine, uncontested estate; the 4-month creditor window after publication sets the practical floor. |
| Transfer-on-death deed | Hawaii allows a transfer-on-death deed for real estate under the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, HRS Ch. 527 (§ 527-5). An owner can record a TOD deed naming a beneficiary and the property passes outside probate at death. |
What passes outside Hawaii probate
These transfers are not part of the estate the fees above are calculated on:
- Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
- Joint ownership with right of survivorship.
- Transfer-on-death deed — Hawaii allows a transfer-on-death deed for real estate under the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, HRS Ch. 527 (§ 527-5). An owner can record a TOD deed naming a beneficiary and the property passes outside probate at death.
- Assets titled into a funded living trust.
Sources for this sheet
- Statutes: HRS § 560:3-719 (personal representative compensation); HRS § 560:3-801 (notice to creditors); HRS § 560:3-803 (limitation on claims); HRS § 560:3-1201 (small-estate collection); HRS Ch. 527 (transfer-on-death deed)
- State authority: Hawaii State Judiciary (courts.state.hi.us)
- Creditor claim period: https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-30a/chapter-560/section-560-3-803/
- Transfer-on-death deed: https://law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-28/chapter-527/section-527-5/
Compiled August 15, 2026 from the sources listed above. Fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs are amended by legislatures and courts — confirm each figure against the cited statute or the Hawaii court before relying on it.
The full Hawaii guides
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How Much Does Probate Cost in Hawaii? — the full cost breakdown.
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How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Hawaii? — the fee rule in detail.
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How Long Does Probate Take in Hawaii? — the timeline and its statutory floor.
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How to Avoid Probate in Hawaii — the transfers that pass outside it.
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How Much Does a Will Cost in Hawaii? — execution requirements and pricing.
Fee sheets for other states
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This sheet sets out Hawaii probate figures as published at the time of compilation. It is not legal advice. Figures and statutes change and their application depends on the specific estate. Confirm current figures with the Hawaii courts or a licensed Hawaii attorney.