Hawaii calls the executor the "personal representative." Two things are specific to Hawaii: the state has its own estate tax, with an exemption far below the federal one, and it uses the streamlined informal probate process from the Uniform Probate Code. This guide covers the whole job.
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How to Get Appointed Personal Representative in Hawaii
- File the application: File an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Informal Appointment of Personal Representative in the Circuit Court of the circuit where the deceased was domiciled.
- Probate Registrar review: Usually completed within a few weeks.
- Receive Letters Testamentary: If approved, the Registrar issues your official authority over the estate.
Hawaii Personal Representative Compensation
Hawaii allows "reasonable compensation," with no statutory rate. Compensation usually runs 1% to 4% of estate value, depending on complexity.
Does Hawaii Require a Bond?
Generally no, in informal probate. Hawaii doesn't require a bond unless an interested party specifically asks for one. The will can also waive bond outright.
Core Duties as Personal Representative in Hawaii
- File the Application for Informal Probate and obtain Letters Testamentary
- Send Notice of Appointment to all interested parties within 30 days
- Open an estate bank account using the estate's EIN
- Inventory all estate assets and obtain valuations; send the inventory to interested parties within 3 months
- Publish the Notice to Creditors and send direct notice to known creditors
- Wait out the 4-month creditor period before final distribution
- Pay valid creditor claims in the statutory order of priority
- For estates above the Hawaii estate tax exemption: file the Hawaii Estate Tax Return (Form M-6) within 9 months of death and pay the tax
- For very large estates: file federal Form 706 within 9 months of death
- File final federal and state income tax returns for the deceased
- Manage estate assets prudently throughout administration
- Distribute remaining assets per the will, or Hawaii's intestacy statute if there is no will
- File a Closing Statement with the Circuit Court
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See the full checklist →The Hawaii Estate Tax
Hawaii's estate tax exemption is $5.49 million. It has been frozen since 2018, while the federal exemption has climbed to $15 million as of 2026. Hawaii real estate values are so high that an estate that looks modest on paper (a single home plus ordinary retirement and life insurance assets) can still land near or above the state threshold.
Pro tip
Put the 9-month Form M-6 deadline on your calendar as soon as you're appointed. For any estate that might approach $4 million, bring in a Hawaii estate tax CPA, since real estate alone can push many Hawaii estates over the line.
How to Close the Estate in Hawaii
In informal probate, close the estate by filing a Verified Statement of Personal Representative Closing Administration. If no interested party objects within 1 year, the personal representative is automatically discharged.
You're reading about executor duties in Hawaii. Here's what else is on the list.
- Locate the Will and legal documents
- Start the probate process (Contact Attorney)
- Hire a tax accountant for estate filings
- File final individual and estate tax returns
- Prepare final accounting for probatethis guide
- Perform final distribution to beneficiaries
- + 64 more tasks across all four phases
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws in Hawaii may change. Consult a licensed Hawaii attorney for guidance specific to your situation.