Hawaii Executor and Estate Kit: the $100,000 Small Estate Route, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in Hawaii. Handed to the bank or other holder. Presented with the death certificate to the person who owes the debt or holds the property; no court filing.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in Hawaii, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: HRS 560:3-1201, Collection of personal property by affidavit (Hawaii State Legislature); Hawaii State Judiciary form 3C-E-210, Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (8/2014); Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Hawaii (Nolo, updated 4/25/2024); HRS 560:2-502, Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills (Hawaii Legislature); HRS 560:2-501, Who may make will (Hawaii State Legislature); HRS 560:2-504, Self-proved will (Hawaii State Legislature); HRS 560:2-505, Who may witness (Hawaii State Legislature); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Hawaii (Nolo); Justia (statute text) (secondary source): HRS 560:2-516, Duty of custodian of will; liability (2020 Hawaii Revised Statutes, Justia statute text).
• All 11 Hawaii facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.

What is inside

• Hawaii small estate route. Gross value of the estate in Hawaii up to $100,000, not counting vehicles, which may be transferred regardless of value. The section covers personal property only. Real estate isn't counted, and the affidavit doesn't transfer it; it needs its own route. No waiting period: section 560:3-1201 sets none. The holder pays or transfers once shown a death certificate and the affidavit. Signed before a notary. The Judiciary's form ends with a notary jurat. Handed to the bank or other holder. Presented with the death certificate to the person who owes the debt or holds the property; no court filing. Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (3C-E-210). The Hawaii State Judiciary's form. Summary administration: As Nolo's summary describes it: a probate case is opened in probate court as usual, and if the estate qualifies, the personal representative distributes the property without notifying creditors and then files a closing statement.
• How a Hawaii will had to be signed. Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment. Allowed at signing or any time later. The testator and witnesses sign before an officer authorized to administer oaths, under official seal. Recognized if the signature and material parts are in the testator's handwriting. No witnesses needed. A will, or any part of it, isn't invalid because an interested witness signed it.
• Hawaii estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $100,000, leaves real estate out of the count and leaves vehicles out.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.