Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Honolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  For non-emergency police assistance in Honolulu, call the city’s police department at 808-529-3111.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  Police reports in Honolulu are given to walk-ins only. To obtain a copy of your report, visit the Honolulu Police Departmen’s Records and Identification Division at 801 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, and is closed on weekends and State or Federal holidays. 

• Do you need to create an estate plan in Honolulu even if you are not wealthy?

  Yes. Any adult in Honolulu can benefit from creating an estate plan. Whether you are leaving behind just a bank account or multiple properties, it is always a good idea to start an estate plan to save your intended beneficiaries from the grueling intestate probate process after your death.

• What will happen to your assets in Honolulu if you were not able to create an estate plan before your death?

  In Honolulu, if you die without leaving an estate plan behind, your loved ones and interested parties will go through the intestate probate procedure, which is the government’s estate plan. The government will be responsible for the disposition of your estate based on Hawaii’s probate laws, meaning it is highly likely that your assets won’t be distributed according to what you would have wanted.

• Are you allowed to provide for your pet after your death through your estate plan in Honolulu?

  Yes. A trust can provide for your pet in Honolulu even after your death. Under a pet trust, you can designate a trustee to manage the trust and assign a caretaker to care for your pet. You are also allowed to give specific instructions on how your pet should be cared for about veterinary checkups, grooming, and dietary restrictions.

• What will happen if you become mentally disabled and have no estate plan in Honolulu?

  If you become mentally incapacitated in Honolulu, you will be subject to living probate, commonly known as a conservatorship or guardianship proceeding. This indicates that the probate court will appoint someone to manage your assets and personal affairs. They are to file a strict accounting of your finances with the court, a process that is often expensive and time-consuming.

• Is your estate plan final once it’s been created in Honolulu?

  Not really. Estate planning is more of a process than a one-time, done-deal event. You can review and change your estate plan in Honolulu. You can update your estate plan based on your current circumstances, especially if a significant life event took place recently. You might also consider holding a family meeting with an estate planning attorney to discuss your wishes and goals with your loved ones.