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Hawaii Probate Timeline Calculator

Hawaii has no Fourth Circuit and no county-level probate court — just four islands' worth of Circuit Court, all running the same 4-month creditor clock.

Based on HRS § 560:3-801 & 560:3-803 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Hawaii probate

Pick the options that match your estate — the estimate updates instantly.

Estimated timeline in Hawaii
6–12 months
Informal probate, notice given, uncontested
Which Circuit handles it? →
Facing probate in Hawaii?

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Hawaii's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneHawaii ruleSource
Small estate affidavit eligible$100,000 or less, personal property only§ 560:3-1201
Clerk-supervised summary administration$100,000 or less, a separate track from the affidavit§ 560:3-1203
Notice to creditors publishedOnce a week, 2 successive weeks§ 560:3-801(a)
Creditor claim bar, notice given4 months from first publication, or 60 days from mailed notice, whichever is later§ 560:3-803(a)
Outer bar if notice never given18 months from date of death§ 560:3-803(a)(2)
Minimum informal probate duration~6 months, tied to the creditor windowHawaii probate practice

Hawaii probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in Hawaii?

Informal probate typically takes 6 to 12 months, driven by the 4-month creditor claim period from first publication. Formal or supervised proceedings commonly run 9 to 18 months.

How long do Hawaii creditors have to file a claim?

4 months from the date of first publication, or 60 days after mailed notice to a known creditor, whichever is later — under HRS 560:3-803. If notice is never given, the outer limit is 18 months from the date of death.

Which court handles Hawaii probate?

The Circuit Court of the judicial circuit where the decedent was domiciled — First Circuit (Oahu), Second (Maui), Third (Hawaii Island), or Fifth (Kauai). Hawaii has no Fourth Circuit and no county-level probate court.

Does Hawaii have an estate or inheritance tax?

Hawaii has no inheritance tax, but it does have its own separate state estate tax under HRS Chapter 236E, with a $5,490,000 exemption and rates from 10% to 20%.

Hawaii probate tools & guides

Hawaii Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in HawaiiThe real causes, beyond the baseline Hawaii's Four Circuit CourtsWhich one handles your estate Hawaii Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Hawaii statute (HRS § 560:3-801, 560:3-803, 560:3-1201, 560:3-1203). Actual timelines depend on the specific Circuit Court and whether the estate is contested. Confirm current timelines with the Circuit Court or a licensed Hawaii attorney before acting.