Why Choosing the Right Estate Planning Lawyer Matters — For the People You Love
- Keoni
- Oct 8
- 5 min read
When someone you love dies, grief is heavy enough. Add legal confusion, frozen bank accounts, and court paperwork — and even the most organized ʻohana can feel overwhelmed. That’s exactly what happens to many families across Hawaiʻi when there isn’t a clear plan (or a guide) in place.
Below are true-to-life scenarios that show how easily things can go sideways — and why working with the right lawyer in Honolulu can spare your loved ones unnecessary stress, expense, and conflict.
When Families Go It Alone
Molly’s “Simple” Wishes Turned Complicated
After Molly passed, her family found seven handwritten “wills.” Fourteen heirs later, everyone had an opinion — and a legal claim. What felt simple to Molly became anything but simple for the people she left behind.
A Blended Family, Then A Sudden Rewrite
Nancy and Jack signed mirror wills. When Nancy died first, everything flowed to Jack — who changed his will to benefit only his biological children. Nancy’s children got nothing and had to leave their mother’s home. If you’re in a second (or third) marriage in Hawaiʻi, this risk is real without careful pre-planning and a post-death advisor your family can count on.
Frank’s 21 Heirs
Frank never signed a will. By law, his estate was split among 21 nieces and nephews. The two nephews who helped him build the family business received the same fraction as relatives he hadn’t seen in decades. If you own a business in Honolulu, don’t leave succession to chance.
These stories share a common thread: without a lawyer who knows you and your family, even “easy” estates become slow, expensive, and emotionally draining.
Why It’s So Hard Without Guidance
No roadmap, just court — Without a functional plan, your ʻohana may end up in probate, guardianship, or conservatorship. That means forms, deadlines, hearings, and rules that feel like a foreign language.
Higher costs than expected — Court fees and legal bills add up fast. Even modest estates can bleed tens of thousands — far more than planning properly up front.
Delays and frozen accounts — Months (sometimes years) of waiting while assets sit inaccessible. Mortgages, insurance, and utilities still need to be paid — often from your loved ones’ pockets.
Conflict erupts — Grief magnifies small disagreements. Without clear instructions and a neutral guide, minor differences can fracture relationships.
Lost or overlooked assets — Retirement accounts, insurance, employer benefits, passwords — if no one knows what exists or how to access it, assets can be missed and land in the State’s unclaimed property program.
Public records invite predators — Probate filings are public. Scammers know it.
There is a better way.
The Difference in Hawaiʻi
I don’t just draft documents and disappear. I get to know you, your family, and your assets — and I stay in relationship with you over time. When something happens, your loved ones won’t be forced to start from scratch with a stranger. They’ll have someone in Honolulu who already understands your wishes and how to carry them out.
What that means for your ʻohana:
Clear, enforceable instructions — No guessing, no mixed signals.
Step-by-step guidance — A calm, sequenced plan so family can focus on healing — not paperwork.
Less conflict — We surface and address issues in advance to prevent fractures later.
Known, trusted support — A human your family already knows and can contact.
Think of the difference between walking into an ER where nobody knows you versus seeing a doctor who’s followed you for years. Same urgency, very different experience.
Life & Legacy Planning® — A Plan That Actually Works
Traditional planning focuses on documents. We focus on outcomes. My Life & Legacy Planning® process pairs excellent documents with the systems and relationship that make them work when it counts.
Your plan includes:
A complete, living inventory of assets — So nothing is missed or lost.
Regular reviews — We update as life, assets, and Hawaiʻi law change.
Practical guidance for your family — Exactly what to do first and next steps.
A trusted lawyer for your loved ones — In Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, when they need it most.
Estate planning isn’t about paperwork — it’s about protecting the people you love and keeping them out of court and out of conflict.
Your Next Step
The greatest gift you can leave is peace of mind. Let’s create a Life & Legacy Plan that makes life as easy as possible for your ʻohana when you’re no longer here.
Ready to start? Schedule a Life & Legacy Planning® Session and get clarity on what you have, what you need, and how to protect it — the right way — in Hawaiʻi.
FAQs
Does every estate in Hawaiʻi go through probate?
No. Properly structured trusts and beneficiary designations can avoid probate. But many estates end up there because documents are outdated, assets weren’t titled correctly, or beneficiary designations conflict with the plan.
If I have a will, do my loved ones still go to court?
Usually yes. A will is a “ticket to probate.” A funded revocable trust, kept up-to-date, is the common path to avoid court in Hawaiʻi.
What about my condo or house on Oʻahu?
Real property often drives probate. Correct titling — and, when appropriate, a funded trust — helps your ʻohana avoid delays and sell or manage the property quickly.
We’re a blended family. How do we protect everyone fairly?
Customized trust design and clear, enforceable instructions are key. We’ll address step-parent and step-child dynamics up front to prevent later disputes.
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📅 Schedule your Life & Legacy Planning Session here
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This article is brought to you by the Law Office of Keoni Souza, a boutique estate planning firm located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, proudly serving families on Oʻahu and across the Hawaiian Islands. At our firm, estate planning is about more than documents — it’s about creating lasting peace of mind for you and the people you love. Through our unique Life & Legacy Planning Process, we guide you to make informed, empowered decisions that protect your wealth, your wishes, and your family’s future. To get started, contact our Honolulu office today to schedule your Life & Legacy Planning Session.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance tailored to your specific situation, please consult an estate planning attorney licensed in the State of Hawaiʻi. Use of this website or communication through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Law Office of Keoni Souza, LLC.
