Free Tools and Information
for Hawaii County, HI Consumers

Hawaii Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Hawaii PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Hawaii County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Hawaii) for Hawaii County.
• How Probate Works in Hawaii: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Hawaii County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Hawaii Probate Forms and the
    • Hawaii State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Hawaii: Learn how to use Hawaii's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • You can use an Affidavit to transfer assets in Hawaii for any vehicles and for estates with a value of $100,000 or less.

    Haw. Rev. State. 560:3-1-1201

    There's also a summary probate procedure for estates with a value of $100,000 or less.

    Haw. Rev. State. 560:3-1-1205

     

• Hawaii Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Hawaii imposes an estate tax on property owned in Hawaii. If you are inheriting property from the state of Hawaii, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $5,490,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Hawaii. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

---

Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Hawaii County, Hawaii (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Hawaii BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Hawaii law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Hawaii?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions available.

  • Hawaii Homestead Exemption

    • Head of family or over 65 to $30,000; all others to $20,000; property cannot exceed 1 acre; sale proceeds exempt for 6 months after sale (husband & wife may not double).
      

  • Hawaii Vehicle Exemption

    • $2,575

• Hawaii BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

---

Democracy In Hawaii, Hawaii County, Hilo 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Hawaii County, HI.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Hawaii Voter Registration Status: https://olvr.hawaii.gov/%28S%28vb2rcnebimyjdjcs5q22kazp%29%29/Default.aspx
• Gerrymandering in Hawaii: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

 

Hawaii Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Hawaii: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $5 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $763 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Hawaii, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Hawaii.
  • Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations 
    • 833-901-2272
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Hawaii Wage & Hour Law

  • Hawaii Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in Hawaii is $14 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Aloha State must be paid at least $14 an hour. 

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Hawaii and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Hawaii. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Hawaii.

    • In Hawaii, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $12.75 an hour, but only if your total tips and wages add up to at least $7 more than the minimum wage per hour ($14). 

---

Find a Lawyer in Hawaii County, HI

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • LawHelp.org/HI 

---