Probate Attorney in Honolulu

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We handle Hawaiʻi probate for families on every island, filing and appearing so you do not have to, with flat-fee options wherever the matter allows, because grief is a bad time to be handed a court calendar and an open-ended bill.

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Probate Help Without the Flight to Oahu

Hawaiʻi probate runs through the Circuit Court, and the circuit depends on where the person lived. Oʻahu matters go to the First Circuit in Honolulu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi to the Second, Hawaiʻi Island to the Third, and Kauaʻi and Niʻihau to the Fifth.


For families on the outer islands, and for anyone administering an estate from the mainland, that geography is a real burden. We handle Hawaiʻi probate remotely. Filings, correspondence with the court, notice and publication, creditor claims, and the accounting all happen without you traveling. When an appearance is needed, we make it.

Which Kind of Probate Are You Facing?

Not every estate needs a full court proceeding. Knowing which track you are on changes both the timeline and the cost, and it is the first thing we determine.

Small estate affidavit

Available when the gross estate is $100,000 or less, excluding motor vehicles, and no real property needs a court-ordered transfer. Successors can collect personal property by affidavit beginning 30 days after death, without opening a case.

Informal probate

The common track for uncontested estates. Handled through the court registrar with minimal court involvement. Most informal probates in Hawaiʻi close within six to twelve months, though the timeline depends on the assets and how quickly heirs respond.

Formal probate

Required when the will is contested, heirs disagree, or the estate carries complications that need a judge. Court hearings are involved and the timeline typically extends well past a year.


Hawaiʻi real property titled in the decedent's name alone almost always requires probate, whatever the rest of the estate looks like. That single fact determines the track for most Hawaiʻi estates.

What Actually Happens, Step by Step

Step 1: Determine the track and open the case

We review the will if there is one, identify the assets, confirm whether a small estate affidavit will work, and if not, file the petition to open probate and have you appointed.

Step 2: Appointment and authority

The court issues letters confirming your authority as personal representative. Until that happens you cannot access accounts or deal with the property, which is why this step comes first and quickly.

Step 3: Notice, publication, and the creditor window

Heirs and interested parties are notified, and notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation. Hawaiʻi requires a minimum four-month creditor claim period from first publication. This is usually the step that sets the floor on how fast an estate can close.

Step 4: Inventory, debts, and taxes

We inventory and value the assets, evaluate creditor claims and pay the valid ones, and coordinate any required tax filings with your accountant. Hawaiʻi is one of a small number of states with its own estate tax, so larger estates need this handled carefully.

Step 5: Distribution and closing

Once the creditor window closes and obligations are settled, assets go to the beneficiaries, the required accounting is filed, and the estate is formally closed.

What You Pay, and When You Know It

Hawaiʻi does not use a percentage fee schedule for probate. Both the personal representative and the attorney are entitled to reasonable compensation, which in practice means the number depends on who is doing what.


We quote probate matters up front and offer flat-fee pricing wherever the estate allows it, which covers most uncontested informal probates. For estates where a flat fee is not appropriate, usually because a dispute or a tax issue makes the scope genuinely unpredictable, we tell you that at the start and explain what will drive the cost.

Working With Someone Who Has Done This Before

Jonathan Parker has spent 38 years in practice, admitted in Florida and New Jersey in 1988 and licensed in Hawaiʻi since 2011. He has guided executors and personal representatives through estate administration across all three states.


What that means for you day to day is that you are talking to the attorney handling your matter, not relaying questions through staff. Personal representatives generally call with the same handful of worries: whether they are personally on the hook for a debt, whether they are allowed to sell the house, and what to tell a relative who is asking. Those get answered directly.


You can read more about the firm's background on our about page.

Yanni

Highly recommend, Mr Parker successfully handled my numerous legal matters. I was impressed on how professional and accurate he took ownership of my case. Thank you!

Jim B.

"He is honest, sincere, creative, and hard working."

David A.

I referred a good friend of mine who was charged with DUI. Mr. Parker was very responsive and spent a lot of time with the client. The legal process was explained completely and the costs were clearly explained, also. During the proceedings, the defense was put forth and the result obtained was better than the client had hoped for. I absolutely would recommend Mr. Parker for anyone who is charged with a DUI offense.

Angel

The best of the best. Would recommend to family and friends!

Dr. G.

They are knowledgeable as well as patient when working with them. Kind and considerate as well. Very reputable law firm. I recommended without hesitation. Dr. G

Luis C.

Jonathan is a great professional person. His skills as an attorney are unmatched. He took my treaffic case, which he had dismissed. He was going up agianst an officer which was detemined to have me pay for a simple error. Luis Casas Director SFLHCC

Stephen B.

Johnathan was very knowledgeable and professional. I really felt as though he was going to help me sincerely, that gave me confidence when I retained him. I was very satisfied with the results of my case and will continue to use him in the future.

James M.

Mr. Parker is an excellent attorney, partner, and most of all a friend. He takes time with all of his clients. He is a very detail oriented individual. He is strong willed, determined, motivated, and strives to be better than the best. He is one of the most outstanding attorney's I have the pleasure in knowing and working with!

Kimo S.

Having worked with Mr. Parker on numerous business transactions I can honestly tell you that it is like having a friend on your team. Communication is a breeze with Mr. Parker and from the first introduction you will know that he is thoughtful and passionate about his work.

Francis D.

I was having a conflict with one of my fellow condo owners and my wife and I were a little upset and not thinking rationally. Mr. Parker calmed us down, guided us on dotting our "i's" and crossing our "t's" and suggested mediating the conflict. Cooler heads prevailed the next day thanks to Jon's helpful counsel. His retainer fees were a fair and good value.

John H.

I have known Jonathan for more than 15 years. He is honest, sincere, creative, and hard working. You will not be disappointed.

Jim C.

Johnathan Parker is one of the best lawyers in Miami. He has assisted me on innumerable occasions and has a vast knowledge of diverse aspects of the law. I would turn to Mr. Parker for any legal assistance in the future. i

Melissa F.

Mr. Jonathan Parker was hired as our attorney for several matters this year. We heard nothing but good things about him and his business so we started by transferring some deeds and titles into a business name with his help and knowledge, then updated our will, trust, and power of attorney. He was very knowledgeable and efficient in getting all of these things taken care of for us with little to no hassle or stress on our end as clients. After this, we had a legal issue completely unrelated come up and he was able to help and assist us with that as well. Mr. Parker is always available, easy to access without going through several assistants, and he is quick and efficient in dealing with things. If he does not specialize in a matter or cannot help for any reason, he will recommend someone who does or let you know the best route to go. We highly recommend using Jonathan Parker for any of your legal needs!

Jorge L.

I got into some issue decided to use Mr. Parkers services that came recommended by a friend of mine, He was very helpful and got me off with just having to take a corrective class and nothing more.. will definitely recommend to others.

If You Are Reading This to Prevent It

Many people find this page after going through probate for a parent and deciding their own family will not repeat it. That is a reasonable conclusion, and it is achievable. A properly funded revocable trust keeps Hawaiʻi property out of probate entirely, and our Honolulu estate planning page covers the full picture. Our trusts page explains how the probate-avoidance piece actually works.

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Common Questions About Hawaii Probate

  • How long does probate take in Hawaii?

    Most uncontested informal probates close within six to twelve months. The four-month creditor claim period sets the practical floor, and real property or a contested issue can push a matter past a year. We give you a realistic range for your specific estate after reviewing the assets.

  • Do you handle probate for families on other islands?

    Yes. We handle Hawaii probate matters for clients on Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaii Island, and Molokai and Lanai, as well as for personal representatives living on the mainland. The work is handled remotely and we appear when an appearance is required.

  • Is there a flat-fee probate option in Hawaii?

    We offer flat-fee pricing on probate wherever the estate allows it, which is most uncontested informal matters. Contested estates and estates with tax complications are quoted differently, and we explain why before you decide.

  • Can we avoid probate if the estate is small?

    Possibly. If the gross estate is $100,000 or less excluding motor vehicles, and no real property needs a court-ordered transfer, successors can collect personal property by affidavit 30 days after death without opening a case. Real property almost always takes that option off the table.

  • What does a personal representative actually have to do?

    Inventory and value the assets, notify heirs and publish notice to creditors, evaluate and pay valid claims, handle tax filings, distribute what remains, and file a closing accounting with the court. Our executor guidance page breaks the role down in more detail.

  • Do I need a Hawaii attorney if the person lived elsewhere but owned Hawaii property?

    Usually yes. Hawaii real property generally requires a proceeding in the Hawaii Circuit Court even when the main estate is administered in another state. Because we are licensed in Hawaii, Florida, and New Jersey, we can often handle both sides rather than coordinating between two firms.

Start With One Phone Call

You do not need to have the documents organized or the questions figured out before you call. Tell us who died, roughly what they owned, and where. We will tell you which track the estate is on, what happens first, and what it will cost.