Experienced Trusts and Estates Attorney Hilo -- Protect Your Legacy
Big Island families trust William Dean to protect what they’ve built and guide loved ones through probate with care — day or night.
HSBA-Licensed • 24/7 Availability • Free Consultation • Hilo-Based • Transparent Pricing
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Trusts and Estates in Hawaii -- Protecting Your Family's Future
A retired couple in the Kohala district of Hawaii Island came to Ohana Law Firm worried their children would be forced into a costly, drawn-out court process after they passed away. As a trusts and estates attorney serving Hilo and the Big Island, William Dean built a revocable living trust that let the family transfer their Big Island home and savings without probate.
Trusts and estates planning on the Big Island covers wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration. Every family situation is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but Ohana Law Firm brings the same careful planning to every Big Island family.
Ohana Law Firm serves families across Hawaii Island from our Hilo office. Call anytime — day or night, your call goes straight to an attorney — and a free consultation is available to discuss your estate.
What Is Trusts and Estates Law in Hawaii?
Trusts and estates law covers wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration for Big Island Hawaii families. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 560, Hawaii courts oversee probate through informal or formal proceedings, while HRS Chapter 554D governs the revocable living trusts many families use to avoid probate on the Big Island. |
Trusts and estates law is the area of Hawaii law that governs how your property is protected during your lifetime and distributed after your death. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 560, the Uniform Probate Code, Hawaii courts oversee the distribution of an estate through either informal or formal probate proceedings, depending on whether a valid will exists and whether the estate is contested by any surviving heirs.
Trusts and estates planning on the Big Island also includes revocable living trusts under HRS Chapter 554D, durable powers of attorney under HRS Chapter 551E, healthcare directives, and small estate affidavits for estates of $100,000 or less. William Dean helps Big Island families plan ahead to avoid probate delays, and represents personal representatives and heirs throughout Hawaii County during the probate process itself.
How Trusts and Estates Planning Works in Hawaii
- Estate Planning Consultation. William Dean reviews your Big Island assets, family situation, and goals to recommend a will, a trust, or both.
- Drafting Your Documents. We prepare your will, revocable living trust, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive under Hawaii law.
- Funding the Trust. If a trust is right for your family, we help retitle Big Island real property and accounts into the trust so it actually avoids probate.
- Filing for Probate, If Needed. If a loved one has passed without a trust, William Dean files the petition with the Circuit Court to appoint a personal representative.
- Administration and Distribution. The personal representative gathers assets, pays debts, and distributes property to heirs under Hawaii Probate Rules and court supervision.
Wills vs. Living Trusts vs. Small Estate Affidavit in Hawaii
Tool | Avoids Probate? | Best For |
Simple Will | No — still requires probate (HRS Ch. 560) | Smaller or straightforward estates |
Revocable Living Trust | Yes, for assets properly funded into it (HRS Ch. 554D) | Big Island real property, larger or complex estates |
Small Estate Affidavit | Yes, for qualifying estates only | Estates of $100,000 or less, excluding vehicles |
Durable Power of Attorney | Not applicable — for incapacity, not death (HRS Ch. 551E) | Managing finances if you become incapacitated |
Why Choose Ohana Law Firm as Your Trusts and Estates Attorney
William Dean, Esq. is a licensed Hawaii attorney (HSBA) who helps Big Island families protect what they have built for the next generation.
- William Dean holds a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law, an LLM in International Law from George Washington University, and an MS in Finance from Boston College, a combination that brings real financial depth to complex estates and trust funding.
- Ohana Law Firm helps families avoid unnecessary probate delays and unnecessary family conflict over an estate. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
- Your call goes straight to an attorney 24 hours a day, seven days a week — no answering service in between.
- A free consultation is available to discuss your estate before you commit to representation.
- Ohana Law Firm is based in Hilo and serves Big Island families from Kona to Ka’u with transparent, honest pricing.
Ready to protect your family’s future on the Big Island? Call 808-430-0704 anytime — day or night — or schedule your free consultation today. |
Trusts and Estates and Hawaii Law -- What Makes the Big Island Different
Trusts and estates planning in Hawaii carries unique considerations that mainland attorneys often miss. Hawaii has adopted the Uniform Probate Code under HRS Chapter 560, and estates valued at $100,000 or less, excluding vehicles, may qualify for a simplified small estate affidavit process. Hawaii also imposes its own state estate tax on estates above approximately $5.49 million, with rates from 10 to 20 percent, separate from any federal estate tax obligation.
Probate matters for Big Island residents are filed with the Circuit Court in Hilo, and Hawaii Probate Rules govern both informal and formal proceedings. Revocable living trusts are governed by HRS Chapter 554D, the Uniform Trust Code, while durable powers of attorney follow HRS Chapter 551E.
Big Island estates often include unique local assets, including agricultural land, vacation rental property, and property located in various lava zones, all of which affect insurability, valuation, and how HARPTA withholding applies if property must be sold to settle an estate. William Dean brings Hawaii Island-specific experience to each of these situations.
Coverage Area Serving All of Hawaii Island
Ohana Law Firm represents trusts and estates clients throughout Hawaii County from our Hilo office. We serve Big Island residents in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka’u, and Hamakua, whether you are planning ahead or handling a loved one’s probate in Hilo Circuit Court. No matter where you live on Hawaii Island, Ohana Law Firm treats every client like family.
William Dean, Esq. | JD, William S. Richardson School of Law | LLM International Law, George Washington University | MS Finance, Boston College | HSBA Member |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii trusts and estates matters are governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 560, the Uniform Probate Code, along with HRS Chapter 554D, the Uniform Trust Code, and HRS Chapter 551E, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Every family situation is unique, so consult an attorney about how these statutes apply to your estate.
Estate planning costs in Hawaii depend on whether you need a simple will, a full revocable living trust, or both, along with powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Ohana Law Firm offers a free consultation to review your goals honestly. Call 808-430-0704 for transparent, upfront pricing.
Hawaii probate timelines vary by complexity. Small estates of $100,000 or less can often use a simplified affidavit process, while informal probate typically takes six months to a year. Formal, contested probate can take longer. William Dean gives you a realistic timeline during your free consultation.
Yes. Ohana Law Firm represents trusts and estates clients throughout the Big Island, including Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka'u, and Hamakua. Whether you are planning ahead or handling a parent's estate, William Dean is available 24/7 to guide Big Island families through the process.
Whether you need a living trust or a will depends on your goals, your property, and whether you want to avoid probate. A trust can help Big Island families with real property avoid delays, while a simple will may suffice for smaller estates. Discuss your specific situation during a free consultation.
Yes. Hawaii imposes its own state estate tax on estates valued above approximately $5.49 million, with rates ranging from 10 to 20 percent, separate from any federal estate tax. This makes early planning especially important for Big Island families with significant real property or business assets.