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From time to time, someone reaches out asking for a “quick look” at their estate planning documents. Maybe they created documents through an online service. Maybe they worked with an attorney years ago. Maybe they recently moved to Honolulu or elsewhere in Hawaiʻi and want reassurance that their plan still works. The request usually sounds simple: “Can you just tell me if this is okay?” The honest answer? There is no such thing as a quick estate plan review — at least not if

One of the most common questions I hear from families in Honolulu is this: If I pass away with debt, does my family have to pay it? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Whether debt follows you after death depends on several factors — including the type of debt, how assets are owned, and whether anyone else is legally tied to those obligations. Understanding how debt works after death is a critical part of estate planning in Hawaiʻi, especially if your goal is to protect the

Planning for aging — whether for yourself or for parents — goes far beyond choosing a comfortable place to live. It’s about anticipating medical needs, protecting assets, preserving independence, and avoiding legal and financial landmines that can impact your ʻohana for years to come. For families in Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, these decisions are especially important. Housing costs are high, care options can be limited, and the wrong move at the wrong time can quietly unrav

Loss changes everything. Whether it happens suddenly or after a long illness, the death of a loved one can leave families feeling disoriented, overwhelmed, and unsure of what comes next. Here in Honolulu and throughout Hawaiʻi, where ʻohana runs deep, grief is often shared across generations — but that doesn’t make it easier. Understanding how to show up for someone in mourning — and how to prepare your own family ahead of time — can make an extraordinary difference. Below ar

As parents, we spend countless hours planning for our children’s futures — education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and the values we hope they carry into adulthood. For many families in Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, that planning includes choosing godparents: trusted adults meant to guide, mentor, and support their children. But here’s the uncomfortable truth most parents never hear: Naming godparents does not give them any legal authority over your children. If something une