Hawaii Form 4-2, the Application for Informal Probate of Will and for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative, is the document you file with the Circuit Court registrar to open a deceased person’s estate, prove their will, and get yourself named as the personal representative without a court hearing. You file it with the Circuit Court in the judicial circuit where the person lived, under HRS Section 560:3-301 and Rule 50 of the Hawaii Probate Rules.
Most families reach for this form because a loved one died with a valid will, the heirs all get along, and no one expects a fight. Getting one box wrong can stall everything, since the registrar can refuse your application and force you into a slower, pricier formal probate. Informal probate in Hawaii runs about 30 to 50 percent cheaper than formal probate, with the court filing fee set at just $100, which is why so many people try to handle it on their own.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out every line of Form 4-2 in plain English, with sample answers
- 📂 The exact documents and ID numbers to gather before you open the form
- ⏱️ The 5-year deadline and 120-hour waiting rule that can sink your application
- 🏛️ Where and how to file in all four Hawaii circuits, plus the fees and proof to keep
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications rejected, and how to dodge them
What Form 4-2 Is and Who Must File It
Form 4-2 is Hawaii’s combined request that does two jobs at once. First, it asks the court registrar to informally probate the decedent’s will, which means accept the will as valid without a judge holding a hearing. Second, it asks the registrar to appoint a personal representative, the person who will collect assets, pay debts, and hand out what is left.
You file this form when three things are true: the person died with a written will, the estate must go through probate, and no one is fighting over the will or who should be in charge. If there is no will, you use Form 4-3 for informal appointment of an administrator in intestacy instead. If someone is likely to object, you skip informal probate entirely and go formal, because an objection in informal proceedings forces a formal petition anyway.
The form goes to the registrar, a non-judicial officer of the Circuit Court, not to a judge. The registrar reviews your paperwork and, if it checks out, issues a written statement of informal probate and Letters Testamentary. Those Letters are your proof of authority that banks and others will demand before they release the decedent’s money.
The plain truth is that the personal representative carries real legal weight. The consequence of skipping probate when assets need it is that titles stay frozen, banks refuse access, and heirs wait. A common misconception is that a will alone gives you power to act; in reality, only the court-issued Letters do that.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out Form 4-2 goes faster when you gather everything first. Missing one item can mean a second trip to the courthouse or a returned application. Pull these together before you write a single word:
- The original signed will, not a copy, because the court must hold or receive the original under HRS Section 560:3-301; a missing original can defeat informal probate.
- The death certificate, since you need the exact date of death to prove the 120-hour wait and the 5-year limit have been met.
- The decedent’s full legal name and any other names used, because asset titles may not match and a mismatch slows the registrar.
- The decedent’s domicile address and county, which fixes venue and tells you which circuit to file in.
- The decedent’s age at death, which the form asks for directly on line 5.
- Names, addresses, and relationships of every heir and devisee, plus the ages of any minors, because the form demands this list and gaps can trigger questions.
- Your own address and phone number, and a clear statement of how you are related to the decedent.
- The will’s execution date, since line 13 asks you to identify the will by its date.
- Any demand for notice anyone filed, which line 10 asks about; missing one can void your statement later.
- Money for the $100 filing fee, because the registrar will not process the application without it.
Think of this list as your safety net. Aiko Tanaka, a daughter filing for her late father, lays the original will, the death certificate, and a typed heir list on the table before she begins, and the whole form takes her under an hour.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Hawaii’s Judiciary does not post a simple fillable PDF library the way some states do, so most pro se filers get Form 4-2 through the Hawaii State Judiciary Self-Help resources or from probate form services that mirror the official text, such as the Form 4-2 reference at Atticus. The form is built from the requirements in HRS Section 560:3-301, so its content stays stable even when the layout shifts.
Always pair Form 4-2 with the Informal Probate Information Sheet, Form 4-1, which the Hawaii Probate Rules require for any informal application that seeks probate of a will or appointment of a personal representative. The Information Sheet is a short cover document that tells the registrar what you are asking for, and leaving it out is a frequent reason applications come back.
Double-check that you have the right form ID before you start. Hawaii probate forms look alike, and Form 4-2, Form 4-3, and Form 4-1 are easy to confuse. Using Form 4-3 when you have a will, or skipping the Information Sheet, means re-doing the packet and possibly another trip to the courthouse.
A nuance many filers miss is that real property changes the math. If the estate includes Hawaii land or a house that has not already passed by trust or joint title, you should strongly consider an attorney, because deed work and title transfers add steps that informal probate alone does not solve.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 4-2 Line by Line
The body of Form 4-2 is a numbered list of sworn statements. Take each line in order. Every entry is a representation you swear is true, so accuracy matters more than speed. Below, sample entries you would actually write on the form are shown in italics.
Caption: Court, Circuit, and Estate Name
What it asks in plain English. The top of the form asks which Circuit Court you are filing in and the name of the estate. It also leaves a blank “P. NO.” for the case number.
How to answer it. Write the circuit that matches the decedent’s county of domicile. Use FIRST for Oahu, SECOND for Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, THIRD for Hawaii Island, and FIFTH for Kauai. After “THE ESTATE OF,” write the decedent’s full legal name, then “Deceased.” Leave the P. NO. blank; the clerk assigns it.
A specific example answer. Aiko Tanaka files on Oahu, so she writes FIRST in the circuit blank and ROBERT KENJI TANAKA after “THE ESTATE OF.”
A nuance or edge case. If the decedent lived on Lanai, you still file in the Second Circuit on Maui, because the islands share one circuit.
A common mistake and its consequence. Filing in the wrong circuit means the clerk rejects the packet and you start over in the correct court, losing days or weeks.
A misconception. Many people think they file where they themselves live; venue follows where the decedent was domiciled, not the applicant.
Header Block: Applicant Name, Address, and Pro Se Box
What it asks in plain English. The very top corner asks for your name, address, phone number, and whether you are an attorney or a “pro se” applicant handling it yourself.
How to answer it. Print your full legal name, mailing address, and phone number. Check the pro se box if you have no lawyer. Leave the “Attorney No.” blank when you are pro se.
A specific example answer. Aiko Tanaka writes her name, her Honolulu address, her cell number, and checks pro se.
A nuance or edge case. If you use a P.O. Box, list it as your mailing address, but be ready to give a physical address if the court asks.
A common mistake and its consequence. Forgetting the phone number means the registrar cannot reach you about a defect, which delays processing.
A misconception. People assume “pro se” sounds risky or improper; it simply means self-represented and is fully allowed in Hawaii informal probate.
Paragraph 1: Legal Authority
What it asks in plain English. This line states the law your application rests on.
How to answer it. Leave the printed text as is. It already reads that the application is brought under HRS Section 560:3-301 and Rule 50 of the Hawaii Probate Rules.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes nothing new here; the citation is pre-printed.
A nuance or edge case. If a form copy you downloaded omits this citation, add it by hand so the registrar sees the legal basis.
A common mistake and its consequence. Crossing out or altering the statute reference confuses the registrar and can draw a request for clarification.
A misconception. Some filers think they must quote extra statutes; the single reference the form provides is enough for an informal filing.
Paragraph 2 and 3: Your Relationship and Residence
What it asks in plain English. These lines ask how you are related to the decedent and where you live.
How to answer it. Describe your relationship in plain words on line 2, then write your home address and phone number on line 3.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes Daughter of the decedent on line 2 and her street address and phone on line 3.
A nuance or edge case. If you are a friend or a creditor rather than family, state that exactly, since your priority to serve depends on it.
A common mistake and its consequence. Writing a vague relationship like “relative” leaves the registrar unsure of your priority and may stall the appointment.
A misconception. People think only blood relatives can apply; a will can name anyone, and that nomination controls priority.
Paragraph 4: Your Interest as an Interested Person
What it asks in plain English. This line asks in what capacity you have a legal interest in the estate.
How to answer it. State your interest, such as devisee, heir, or nominated personal representative, and confirm you are an “interested person” under Hawaii law.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes devisee and nominated Personal Representative in the blank.
A nuance or edge case. You can be both a devisee under the will and the nominee to serve; list both interests.
A common mistake and its consequence. Claiming an interest you do not have can expose you to a perjury issue, since the form is sworn.
A misconception. Filers assume only the executor named in the will is an interested person; heirs and devisees qualify too.
Paragraph 5: Date of Death and Age
What it asks in plain English. This line asks when the decedent died and how old they were.
How to answer it. Enter the date of death from the death certificate and the age at death.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes March 14, 2026 and age 78.
A nuance or edge case. The date of death also proves the 120-hour rule, since the registrar can only issue the statement once at least 120 hours have passed since death.
A common mistake and its consequence. An incorrect date can make it look like the 5-year limit has passed or the 120 hours have not, either of which blocks issuance.
A misconception. People think the date they discovered the death matters; only the actual date of death counts.
Paragraph 6: Domicile at Death
What it asks in plain English. This line asks where the decedent permanently lived when they died.
How to answer it. Write the city or town, the county, and the state of domicile.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes Honolulu, County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii.
A nuance or edge case. Domicile is the permanent home, not a vacation rental or a hospital where the person happened to die.
A common mistake and its consequence. Listing a temporary address can put venue in the wrong circuit and lead to a transfer or rejection.
A misconception. People confuse where someone owned property with where they were domiciled; only the permanent home sets domicile.
Paragraph 7: Heirs, Devisees, and Minor Ages
What it asks in plain English. This line wants the names and addresses of the surviving spouse or reciprocal beneficiary, children, heirs, and devisees, plus the age of anyone who is a minor.
How to answer it. Fill the three-column grid with each person’s name and address, their relationship or interest, and the age if they are a minor. List everyone you can find with reasonable diligence.
A specific example answer. Aiko lists herself, her brother Kenji Tanaka Jr., and a minor grandchild Leo Tanaka, age 9 with his address.
A nuance or edge case. If a child predeceased the decedent but left children of their own, those grandchildren may be heirs and belong on the list.
A common mistake and its consequence. Leaving out an heir is one of the most damaging errors, because an omitted person can later challenge the proceeding and unwind distributions.
A misconception. People think only people named in the will go here; you must list intestate heirs too, even if the will leaves them nothing.
Paragraph 8: Venue Statement
What it asks in plain English. This line asks why this particular court is the right place to file.
How to answer it. Complete the sentence by stating that the decedent was domiciled in this county at the time of death.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes the decedent was domiciled in the County of Honolulu at the time of death.
A nuance or edge case. If the decedent was domiciled out of state but owned Hawaii property, you state venue based on where that property sits.
A common mistake and its consequence. A blank or mismatched venue statement signals a filing-location error and invites rejection.
A misconception. Filers think venue is automatic from the caption; the form still wants the reason spelled out here.
Paragraph 9: Existing Personal Representatives
What it asks in plain English. This line asks if any personal representative has already been appointed anywhere and is still serving.
How to answer it. List the name, address, and state of any current representative. If there are none, write None.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes None.
A nuance or edge case. If the decedent had a representative appointed in another state, that domiciliary representative may hold priority over you.
A common mistake and its consequence. Writing nothing instead of “None” leaves the line ambiguous, and the registrar may return it for completion.
A misconception. People skip this line thinking it only applies to big estates; every applicant must answer it.
Paragraph 10: Demand for Notice
What it asks in plain English. This line asks whether anyone has filed a demand to be notified of probate proceedings.
How to answer it. State that you have received no demand and know of none, or list any that exist. If none, write None.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes None.
A nuance or edge case. A demand for notice can come from a creditor or a distant relative; if one exists, you must serve them before the registrar acts.
A common mistake and its consequence. Ignoring a known demand for notice can void the informal statement and reopen the case later.
A misconception. People assume a demand for notice is rare and skip the line; it must still be answered every time.
Paragraph 11: The 5-Year Time Limit
What it asks in plain English. This line confirms the deadline for informal probate has not passed.
How to answer it. Check the box that says five years or less have passed since the decedent’s death. Only use the second box, for tardy probate, if more than five years have passed and a special exception applies.
A specific example answer. Aiko checks five years or less have passed.
A nuance or edge case. HRS Section 560:3-108 allows late probate only in narrow circumstances, so most filers who are past five years cannot use Form 4-2 at all.
A common mistake and its consequence. Checking the wrong box, or filing past five years without an exception, gets the application denied outright.
A misconception. People think probate can wait indefinitely; the 5-year window is a hard limit for the informal route.
Paragraph 12: Proposed Personal Representative and Priority
What it asks in plain English. This line asks who should be appointed and why they have priority to serve.
How to answer it. Write the nominee’s name and address, then check the priority basis: With Priority under Will, Under HRS Section 560:3-203, or Other. List anyone with equal or greater priority, or write None.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes her own name and checks With Priority under Will, since the will names her executor, and writes None for others with greater priority.
A nuance or edge case. HRS Section 560:3-203 sets a strict order: the person named in the will comes first, then a spouse who is a devisee, then other devisees, then the spouse, then other heirs, then creditors after 45 days.
A common mistake and its consequence. Failing to list another person with equal priority, such as a co-executor, can let that person object and derail the appointment.
A misconception. People believe the oldest child automatically serves; priority follows the will and the statute, not birth order.
Paragraph 13, 14, and 15: The Will Statements
What it asks in plain English. These three lines identify the will by date, swear you believe it was validly executed, and swear you know of no revocation.
How to answer it. On line 13, name the document and its date, such as Last Will dated June 2, 2019, and confirm the original is with the court or attached. On line 14, state you believe it was validly executed. On line 15, state you know of no instrument revoking it and believe it is the last will.
A specific example answer. Aiko writes Last Will dated June 2, 2019, then leaves the printed validity and non-revocation language intact.
A nuance or edge case. If a codicil exists, identify it too, since it is part of the testamentary plan.
A common mistake and its consequence. Attaching a photocopy instead of the original will can stop informal probate cold, because the court needs the original.
A misconception. People think a notarized copy is “good enough”; for informal probate, the original document is what the registrar wants.
The WHEREFORE Clause, Bond, and Letters
What it asks in plain English. This closing paragraph formally requests that the will be probated, the representative be appointed, and Letters Testamentary be issued, with or without bond.
How to answer it. Fill in the will’s name and the nominee’s name, then check without bond if the will waives bond or all heirs agree, or with bond and the amount if a bond is required.
A specific example answer. Aiko requests that the Last Will be probated, that Aiko Tanaka be appointed, and checks without bond because the will waives it.
A nuance or edge case. Even if you ask for no bond, the court can still require one if it sees a risk to the estate.
A common mistake and its consequence. Checking “without bond” when the will demands a bond can trigger a request to post one before Letters issue.
A misconception. People think bond is always required; many Hawaii wills waive it, and informal estates often proceed without one.
The Oath, Date, Signature, and Notary Block
What it asks in plain English. The final block is a sworn oath that your statements are true, signed by you, dated, and notarized.
How to answer it. Read the all-caps oath, then date the form, sign it, and print your name. Take it to a notary, who completes the “subscribed and sworn” block. Fill in the page count where the form asks how many pages the application is.
A specific example answer. Aiko signs in front of a Honolulu notary, who fills in the date, circuit, and commission expiration.
A nuance or edge case. By verifying the application, you personally submit to the court’s jurisdiction for any fraud or perjury claim under HRS Section 560:3-301(b).
A common mistake and its consequence. Signing before you reach the notary defeats the oath, and the notary will make you sign again or reject it.
A misconception. People think a witness is the same as a notary; informal probate needs a notary, not just any witness.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three walkthroughs show how different families complete Form 4-2 from top to bottom. Each follows one named person.
Scenario 1: Aiko Tanaka, surviving daughter probating a simple will with no real property
| Form Section | What Aiko Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit (caption) | FIRST (Oahu) |
| Estate of | ROBERT KENJI TANAKA, Deceased |
| Header pro se box | Checked pro se |
| Para 2 relationship | Daughter of the decedent |
| Para 5 death and age | March 14, 2026, age 78 |
| Para 6 domicile | Honolulu, County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii |
| Para 7 heirs | Aiko, brother Kenji Jr., minor grandchild Leo, age 9 |
| Para 12 priority | With Priority under Will |
| Para 13 will | Last Will dated June 2, 2019 |
| WHEREFORE bond | Without bond |
Scenario 2: Marcus Kealoha, adult son where the parent left a will but no real estate, bond waived
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Circuit (caption) | THIRD (Hawaii Island) |
| Estate of | DENISE KEALOHA, Deceased |
| Header pro se box | Checked pro se |
| Para 2 relationship | Son of the decedent |
| Para 5 death and age | January 8, 2026, age 65 |
| Para 6 domicile | Hilo, County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii |
| Para 7 heirs | Marcus and sister Lani Kealoha |
| Para 10 demand for notice | None |
| Para 12 priority | With Priority under Will |
| WHEREFORE bond | Without bond (will waives it) |
Scenario 3: Janet Wong, surviving spouse where the estate includes a Honolulu condo and she works with an attorney
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Header attorney box | Attorney listed with Attorney No. |
| Circuit (caption) | FIRST (Oahu) |
| Estate of | DAVID WONG, Deceased |
| Para 2 relationship | Surviving spouse of the decedent |
| Para 4 interest | Devisee and nominated Personal Representative |
| Para 6 domicile | Honolulu, County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii |
| Para 7 heirs | Janet and two adult children |
| Para 12 priority | With Priority under Will |
| Para 13 will | Last Will dated April 11, 2021 |
| WHEREFORE bond | With bond in the amount of $50,000 |
How to File the Completed Form
Once Form 4-2 is signed, notarized, and paired with the Form 4-1 Information Sheet and the original will, you file the packet with the Circuit Court for the decedent’s circuit. Hawaii pro se filers generally file in person or by mail, since the Judiciary’s electronic filing systems are mainly used by attorneys.
- In person. Bring the full packet to the Circuit Court clerk’s office for your circuit. On Oahu that is the First Circuit Court in Honolulu. Pay the $100 probate filing fee by cash, check, or money order, and ask the clerk to stamp your copy as proof.
- By mail. Send the signed packet and a check for $100, payable to the court, to the clerk of the correct Circuit Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can return your conformed copies and Letters.
- By attorney e-filing. If you hire counsel, they file through the Judiciary’s electronic system, and the $100 fee applies the same way.
For every channel, keep a complete copy of what you filed and your proof of payment. The processing result is a written statement of informal probate plus Letters Testamentary, which the registrar can issue once at least 120 hours have passed since death for close-family applicants, or after a 14-day notice period for others.
A nuance worth knowing is that if you are not a parent, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, or descendant of a parent of the decedent, the registrar must set a future date and you must give advance notice before Letters issue. Plan for that extra delay if you are a more distant relative or a friend.
What Happens After You File
After the registrar accepts your application, they issue a written statement of informal probate and your Letters Testamentary. Those Letters are the proof banks, brokerages, and the DMV want before they let you act for the estate. With Letters in hand, you become the personal representative and your real work begins.
Your next duties include collecting and safeguarding assets, filing an inventory, giving notice to creditors, and paying valid debts and taxes. In Hawaii, creditors generally have about 3 to 6 months from your notice to file claims, and unfiled claims are usually forfeited. Acting promptly protects you from being chased by a late creditor.
Informal probate is conclusive as to all persons unless someone files a formal proceeding to challenge it. A will contest must be brought within tight windows, such as 90 days after notice or 12 months from informal admission, whichever expires first. Once those windows close and debts and distributions are done, you close the estate with a closing statement.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each line of Form 4-2 is its own chance to slip. These are the errors that cost filers the most time.
- Filing in the wrong circuit; the clerk rejects the packet and you re-file in the correct court.
- Attaching a copy of the will instead of the original; the registrar cannot informally probate without the original.
- Leaving out an heir or devisee on line 7; an omitted person can later challenge and unwind the estate.
- Forgetting the Form 4-1 Information Sheet; the application comes back as incomplete.
- Signing before reaching the notary; the oath fails and you must sign again.
- Checking the wrong time-limit box on line 11; filing past five years without an exception gets you denied.
- Writing a vague relationship; the registrar cannot confirm your priority to serve.
- Skipping line 9 or 10 instead of writing “None”; the blank reads as incomplete.
- Misstating the date of death; it can break the 120-hour or 5-year math and block issuance.
- Checking “without bond” when the will requires bond; Letters stall until you post it.
- Naming yourself without listing an equal-priority co-executor; that person can object.
- Forgetting the $100 fee; the court will not process the packet at all.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do use the original will, because informal probate depends on the court receiving it.
- Do list every heir and devisee, since omissions invite later challenges.
- Do file in the decedent’s circuit, because venue follows their domicile.
- Do sign in front of a notary, since the oath is the heart of the application.
- Do keep stamped copies and your fee receipt, because they prove you filed.
- Do attach the Form 4-1 Information Sheet, since the rules require it.
Don’ts
- Don’t guess the date of death, because errors break the deadline math.
- Don’t skip the priority boxes on line 12, since priority controls who serves.
- Don’t ignore a demand for notice, because doing so can void your statement.
- Don’t file past five years without an exception, since the registrar will deny it.
- Don’t leave lines blank, because “None” is the correct answer when nothing applies.
- Don’t use Form 4-2 with no will, because intestacy needs Form 4-3 instead.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Deciding whether to file Form 4-2 yourself or hire a lawyer comes down to how complex the estate is and how confident you feel.
Pros of filing pro se
- It is cheaper, since you avoid attorney fees on top of the $100 court fee.
- It is faster to start, because you do not wait on a lawyer’s schedule.
- You keep full control of the timeline and decisions.
- Simple estates with a clear will and friendly heirs rarely need counsel.
- You learn the process, which helps with the later steps of administration.
Cons of filing pro se
- One field error can delay or sink the application, costing more time than a lawyer would.
- Real property and title transfers add legal steps that are easy to botch alone.
- You carry personal liability as personal representative if you mishandle debts or taxes.
- Disputes among heirs can quickly push you into formal probate you are not ready for.
- Missing a creditor or tax deadline can leave you personally exposed.
| Filing Pro Se | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Lower cost, only the $100 fee | Higher cost, often $3,000 to $4,500 flat for simple estates |
| Best for clear wills and friendly heirs | Best for real property, disputes, or large estates |
| You manage every deadline yourself | The attorney tracks deadlines and filings |
| Higher risk of a field-level rejection | Lower risk, with professional review |
FAQs
Do I file Form 4-2 if there is no will?
No. Use Form 4-3, the application for informal appointment of an administrator in intestacy, when the decedent died without a valid will.
Is the original will required, or will a copy work?
No. A copy will not do. The original signed will must be in the court’s possession or attached to your application for informal probate.
Do I write my own address or the decedent’s on line 3?
Yes. Line 3 asks for your address as the applicant, while the decedent’s domicile goes on line 6.
Do I list heirs the will leaves nothing to in line 7?
Yes. You must list all heirs and devisees, even those who receive nothing, so the registrar sees the full family picture.
Is there a deadline to file informal probate in Hawaii?
Yes. You generally must file within five years of the date of death, after which only narrow tardy-probate exceptions apply.
Do I have to wait after death before Letters can issue?
Yes. The registrar can issue your statement only after at least 120 hours have passed since the decedent’s death for close-family applicants.
Is the $100 filing fee the only cost?
No. Expect added costs like notary fees, certified copies, publication, and any bond, plus attorney fees if you hire help.
Do I check “with priority under will” if the will names me executor?
Yes. On line 12, check “With Priority under Will” when the will nominates you, which gives you first priority under HRS Section 560:3-203.
Is a notary the same as a witness for this form?
No. Form 4-2 must be notarized; a regular witness does not satisfy the sworn oath requirement.
Do I need the Form 4-1 Information Sheet too?
Yes. The Hawaii Probate Rules require the Informal Probate Information Sheet with any informal application seeking probate or appointment.
Is informal probate final once granted?
Yes. Informal probate is conclusive as to all persons unless someone files a formal proceeding to challenge it within the limits.
Do I file where I live or where the decedent lived?
No. You file in the Circuit Court for the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, not where you live.
Is bond always required for the personal representative?
No. Many Hawaii wills waive bond and many informal estates proceed without one, though the court can still require it.
Do I sign Form 4-2 before going to the notary?
No. Sign only in front of the notary, because the notary must witness your signature for the oath to be valid.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Utah Application for Informal Probate (Form 1002ES) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Alaska Application for Informal Probate (Forms P-315 & P-325) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Hawaii Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Hawaii Small Estate Affidavit (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New Mexico Application for Informal Probate + FAQs