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Hawaii Probate Forms

Hawaii probate is a circuit court matter under HRS chapter 560, and the Judiciary publishes almost no fill-in probate forms. Three estate forms exist, all from the Third Circuit on Hawaii island: an affidavit to collect personal property, a version for a motor vehicle, and a creditor's claim. The documents that open, inventory and close an estate are pleadings whose contents the statute prescribes section by section.

Hawaii Probate Forms by Situation

Start at the Judiciary's statewide Court Forms page and open the Circuit Court link under your judicial circuit: First (Oahu), Second (Maui, Molokai, Lanai), Third (Hawaii island) or Fifth (Kauai). There is no Fourth Circuit. Only the Third Circuit page lists estate forms. Every probate matter for one decedent carries a single P. No. case number assigned by the clerk (Hawaii Probate Rule 50).

Find Forms By Your Situation

Recommended procedure:

Collection by affidavit under HRS § 560:3-1201. No court, no filing fee, no waiting period.

Present the affidavit to whoever holds the property. A will does not close this route; the affidavit asks only that you are a claimed successor entitled to the property. If Medicaid paid for the decedent's care, the Department of Human Services may present its own affidavit and it has priority.

Forms you'll need:

3C-E-210

Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent

Download it free from the Hawaii State Judiciary at courts.state.hi.us/docs/form/hawaii/3CE210.pdf, linked from the Third Circuit's Circuit Court Forms page.

A death certificate for the decedent

Open the official forms page to download these

Official Resources

Start at the Judiciary's statewide Court Forms page and open the Circuit Court link under your judicial circuit: First (Oahu), Second (Maui, Molokai, Lanai), Third (Hawaii island) or Fifth (Kauai). There is no Fourth Circuit. Only the Third Circuit page lists estate forms. Every probate matter for one decedent carries a single P. No. case number assigned by the clerk (Hawaii Probate Rule 50).

Hawaii State Judiciary, Court Forms

The statewide forms index. It links each judicial circuit's Circuit Court, Family Court and District Court forms pages. Probate is heard by the circuit court, so the Circuit Court link under your circuit is the one to open.

Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Hawaii (Third Judicial Circuit)

The only circuit forms page that lists estate forms: Creditor's Claim (3C-E-023), Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (3C-E-210) and Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (Automobile) of the Decedent (3C-E-312).

Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Oahu (First Circuit)

Read 2026-09-24. Lists no probate or estate form. It does carry the First Circuit's Ex Parte Motion to Waive Filing Fees; Declaration (1CP963), a general circuit court form.

Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii Probate Rules

The court rules for probate in all four circuits: Rule 50 case numbers, Rule 60 inventories, Rule 63 creditor claims, Rule 74 depositing a will, Rule 88 demand for notice, Rule 90 statutory allowances and Rule 91 competing collection affidavits. Amendments to Rules 20 and 41 take effect January 1, 2027.

Hawaii State Judiciary, List of Civil Filing Fees

The Judiciary's fee list. Under Probate it prints Application/Petition $100.00, Indigent Surcharge $65.00, Admin Fee $50.00, Affidavit $3.00, Demand for Notice $3.00, Demand for Jury Trial $200.00 and Will Deposit $0.00.

Hawaii State Legislature, HRS chapter 560, Uniform Probate Code

Because Hawaii prints so few forms, the statute is where the required content of the documents lives: § 560:3-301 for an informal application, § 560:3-402 for a formal petition, § 560:3-706 for the inventory and § 560:3-1003 for the closing statement. Use data.capitol.hawaii.gov; links to www.capitol.hawaii.gov found elsewhere often fail to load.

Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Courts

The Judiciary's statement that the circuit courts have exclusive jurisdiction in probate, and the link to each circuit's contact page with the probate desk telephone number.

Important Notes

  • -Hawaii publishes no fill-in form for opening, inventorying or closing a decedent's estate. HRS chapter 560 prescribes the contents of each document, and Hawaii Probate Rules 37 and 38 leave model forms optional.
  • -The three estate forms that do exist, 3C-E-210, 3C-E-312 and 3C-E-023, are Third Circuit (Hawaii island) forms. The First, Second and Fifth Circuit forms pages list none.
  • -Probate is heard by the circuit court of the judicial circuit where the decedent was domiciled (HRS § 560:3-201(a)(1)). Hawaii has four circuits, numbered First, Second, Third and Fifth; there is no Fourth (HRS § 603-1). Maui and Kalawao counties are both in the Second Circuit.
  • -The collection affidavit measures the GROSS value of the decedent's estate in Hawaii. A mortgage or other debt is not subtracted.
  • -The collection affidavit transfers personal property only. Hawaii real estate still counts in the $100,000 measure but needs the clerk route, a transfer on death deed, survivorship, or an estate to move.
  • -The probate fee is $100 under HRS § 607-5(b)(14), paid once only for each decedent's estate, and $215 is collected at filing with the $50 administrative fee and the $65 indigent surcharge.
  • -Every filing for one decedent uses the same P. No. case number, with the type of proceeding noted below it (Hawaii Probate Rule 50).
  • -The Hawaii Probate Rules in force are the Judiciary's compilation 'Effective March 1, 1995 With Amendments as Noted'. The Hawaii Supreme Court has ordered amendments to Rules 20 and 41, on contested matters and on evidence and notice, taking effect January 1, 2027.
  • -Statute links point to data.capitol.hawaii.gov, the Legislature's own compilation host. The www.capitol.hawaii.gov links found elsewhere on the web often fail to load.
  • -Form revision labels are a staleness fuse with no symptom: the URL stays the same when the Judiciary replaces a form. Re-read the footer before relying on one.

Sources: Hawaii State Judiciary, Court Forms | Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Hawaii (Third Judicial Circuit)

Not sure which Hawaii forms you need?

Answer a few questions to sort the likely filing path before you pick forms or contact the Circuit Court.

Take the 2-minute assessment

You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.

A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.

See how to avoid probate in Hawaii
How to Use Hawaii Probate FormsWhy the filing path comes before the form number

The form finder groups records such as Collecting Property Without Opening an Estate, Having the Court Clerk Administer a Small Estate, Opening an Informal Probate or Appointment, Formal Testacy and Appointment Proceedings so you can start with the likely procedure rather than one isolated form number.

Use source links such as Hawaii State Judiciary, Court Forms, Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Hawaii (Third Judicial Circuit), Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Oahu (First Circuit) to locate official forms and verify which documents belong in the packet.

Hawaii Form Prep ChecksCounty packet rules and the records to gather before filing

Choose the filing path

Common filing paths in this data include Collection by affidavit under HRS § 560:3-1201. No court, no filing fee, no waiting period., Collection by affidavit under HRS § 560:3-1201, which lets a registered motor vehicle transfer regardless of its value, then the county director of finance's transfer procedure under HRS § 286-52(f)., Clerk administration under HRS § 560:3-1205, or an ordinary informal probate., Informal probate and appointment before the registrar under HRS §§ 560:3-301 to 560:3-311.. Match the estate facts to the correct path before preparing forms.

Verify the county packet

Check the county Circuit Court or local filing-office instructions for coversheets, copy rules, appointments, fees, and filing methods.

Pull supporting records first

Collect the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset values, deed or title records, heir and beneficiary details, and creditor information before filling out the packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Hawaii probate forms?
Start with Hawaii State Judiciary, Court Forms, Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Hawaii (Third Judicial Circuit), Hawaii State Judiciary, Circuit Court Forms for Oahu (First Circuit). Then verify local county instructions before you file, because packet rules, copy requirements, fees, and filing methods can vary.
How do I know which Hawaii probate form I need?
Start with the filing path, not the form number. The right packet depends on will status, asset type and value, creditor issues, heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a simplified procedure fits.
Can I file Hawaii probate forms without an attorney?
Some paths may allow self-filing, but this state data includes categories or situations where attorney help may be required or strongly expected. Verify the county rules and get legal help when rights, disputes, real estate, creditors, or tax facts are unclear.
What should I gather before filling out Hawaii probate forms?
Gather the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset and debt lists, deed or title records, beneficiary records, and names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries.
Hawaii Official Forms and SourcesOfficial references used for this page

Information current as of September 24, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Hawaii can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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