How to Be Appointed Administrator of a Deceased Sibling’s Estate in Hawaii
Can I serve as the personal representative when a close relative dies without a will in Hawaii? Short answer If a person dies without a will (intestate) and you want to manage their estate, you can petition the Hawaii circuit court to be appointed the personal representative (often called an administrator). The court will follow […]
Read article →Protecting Your Inheritance in Hawaii When a Family Member Contests the Estate
Disclaimer: This is general information only and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Hawaii attorney. Detailed Answer Short answer: You can take several steps under Hawaii law to reduce the risk that a family member successfully contests your inheritance and to respond effectively if […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Hawaii: Required Notices and Practical Checklist
Detailed Answer — Notices required to notify heirs when opening probate in Hawaii When someone dies in Hawaii, the personal representative (executor or administrator) who opens probate must notify people who have legal or financial interests in the estate. This ensures heirs, beneficiaries, and potential creditors have a chance to appear in the case, object, […]
Read article →Selling a Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Hawaii: What to Do When the Lender Requests Renunciation Letters
How to sell a home in Hawaii when the reverse mortgage lender asks for renunciation letters Disclaimer: This article is educational only and not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a licensed Hawaii attorney who handles probate, real estate, or reverse mortgage matters. Detailed answer — steps and legal tools under Hawaii […]
Read article →What to Do When a Relative Refuses to Renounce Appointment — Hawaii Probate Options
Can you proceed if a prior-priority relative won't sign a renunciation in Hawaii probate? Detailed Answer When someone ahead of you in the statutory priority for appointment as personal representative (sometimes called an executor or administrator) refuses to sign a formal renunciation, you can still pursue appointment — but your options and likelihood of success […]
Read article →Hawaii — First Step to Confirm Who Legally Owns a Portion of Your Grandfather’s Land
Quick FAQ: How to start confirming legal ownership of a portion of land in Hawaii Short answer (first step): identify the property precisely (parcel identifier or legal description) and run a title/record search at Hawaii’s Bureau of Conveyances and, if applicable, the Land Court. That search will show recorded deeds, mortgages, transfers, and whether the […]
Read article →Hawaii: How Joint Bank Accounts and Property Are Handled When Someone Dies Intestate
What happens to jointly held bank accounts and real property when someone dies without a will in Hawaii Detailed answer When a person in Hawaii dies without a valid will (dies intestate), the legal outcome for money and property depends first on how each asset is titled. Some assets pass immediately to a co‑owner or […]
Read article →Reimbursable Estate Property Expenses — Hawai`i
Understanding Which Estate Property Expenses You Can Track and Be Reimbursed For in Hawaii Disclaimer: This is educational information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Hawai`i attorney about your specific situation before acting. Detailed Answer If you are administering (or preserving) a decedent's property in Hawai`i, you can usually have the […]
Read article →How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Hawaii
Detailed Answer This explains the typical steps someone follows in Hawaii to be appointed by the probate court as the person who manages a deceased person’s estate (an administrator or co-administrator). This is a general guide to the process under Hawaii law; it is educational only and not legal advice. 1. Confirm whether probate is […]
Read article →Hawaii: How Wills, Beneficiary Designations, and Trusts Can Help Avoid Probate
Using Wills and Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate in Hawaii Detailed Answer Short answer: A will alone usually does not avoid probate in Hawaii. Beneficiary designations, account titling, joint ownership, and trusts are the primary ways to keep assets out of probate. A well-coordinated plan can help a surviving spouse and children receive intended assets […]
Read article →