Quick answer: Opening an estate in Hawaii costs a Circuit Court filing fee that varies by circuit and estate value. The personal property affidavit needs no court filing at all for estates of $100,000 or less. Publication and bond are extra. See the full picture in the Hawaii probate cost calculator.
Circuit Court fees
| Item | Approx. fee |
|---|---|
| Informal probate petition | Varies by circuit & estate value |
| Personal property affidavit | $0 (not filed with the court) |
| Clerk administration | Modest, less than formal probate |
| Certified copies | A few dollars each |
Confirm the exact fee with your Circuit Court clerk (First, Second, Third, or Fifth Circuit), since it varies.
Other administration costs
- Publication to creditors — notice opening a 4-month claim window from first publication, or 60 days from direct notice to a known creditor.
- Bond — not required for informal appointment unless requested by an interested person or required by the will.
- Appraisal — if real estate or a business must be valued.
- Personal representative & attorney fees — the real variables, both reasonable amounts with no statutory schedule.
Not the estate tax: the court filing fee, personal representative fee, and attorney fee are administration costs that apply to nearly every estate. Hawaii's separate estate tax (HRS Chapter 236E) is a different matter entirely, relevant only above a $5.49 million exemption.
Ways to keep court costs down
- Personal property affidavit — up to $100,000, no real estate, no filing fee at all (HRS § 560:3-1201).
- Clerk administration — for a $100,000-or-less estate that includes real property (§ 560:3-1205).
- Ask the Circuit Court clerk for the current fee schedule so you budget the exact amount.