Serving All Hawaiian Islands

Protect Your Hawaii Legacy With an Estate Plan Built for Your Ohana

Create a comprehensive estate plan that keeps your family out of probate court, protects your assets, and ensures your wishes are honored—all in about two weeks.

Watch: Why Every Hawaii Family Needs an Estate Plan

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5 Island Locations

Since 2014

Hawaii Bar Association

The Reality

What Happens When Hawaii Families Don't Plan

Without proper estate planning, your loved ones face significant challenges in Hawaii's legal system.

Hawaii Probate Takes 12-18 Months

Without a trust, your family will navigate Hawaii's probate courts—a process that costs thousands in legal fees and keeps assets frozen for over a year.

3-5% Lost to Fees

Probate attorney fees, court costs, and executor fees typically consume 3-5% of your estate—money that should go to your family.

Family Conflicts Arise

When wishes aren't clearly documented, disagreements often divide families during an already difficult time.

Our Approach

Complete Estate Protection in Three Steps

We make estate planning straightforward so you can focus on what matters most—your family.

Discovery Consultation

We start with a thorough conversation about your family, assets, and goals. This helps us understand exactly what you need to protect your ohana.

Custom Plan Design

Based on your unique situation, we draft your complete estate plan—including your revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.

Review & Signing

We walk through every document together, answer all your questions, and complete the signing process. You leave with peace of mind knowing your family is protected.

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John Roth, Founder of Hawaii Trust & Estate Counsel

Meet Attorney John Roth

John established Hawaii Trust & Estate Counsel in 2014 with a simple mission: make estate planning accessible to every Hawaii family. With a J.D. and MBA from the University of Hawaii, John combines legal expertise with practical business sense to create estate plans that actually work.

J.D. from William S. Richardson School of Law
MBA from Shidler College of Business
Recognized as Hawaii's "40 Under 40" by Pacific Business News
Adjunct Law Professor in Estate Planning at UH
Co-authored Hawaii State Bar Association's Estate Planning Forms Manual

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Client Stories

What Hawaii Families Are Saying

The service of Hawaii Trust and Estate Counsel exceeded my expectations. The team was thorough, patient, and explained everything in terms I could understand. I finally have peace of mind knowing my family is protected.

Kaye

Big Island Client

Superior service. Professional, warm, courteous office experience. John took the time to truly understand our situation and created a plan that perfectly fits our family's needs. Highly recommend to anyone on the islands.

Dr. Hart

Oahu Client

Effective, clear answers, just what I wanted. No unnecessary complexity or legal jargon. They made the whole process simple and straightforward. My wife and I feel so much better knowing everything is in order.

Bob

Maui Client

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What We Do

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

Revocable Living Trusts

Avoid probate entirely and keep your affairs private with a properly funded living trust.

Wills & Pour-Over Wills

Ensure any assets outside your trust are captured and distributed according to your wishes.

Powers of Attorney

Designate trusted individuals to make financial decisions on your behalf if you're unable to.

Healthcare Directives

Document your medical preferences and appoint someone to advocate for your healthcare wishes.

Is This Right For You?

Our Estate Planning Services Are Designed For...

This Is For You If...

You own property in Hawaii (home, land, or investment real estate)
You want to keep your family out of Hawaii's lengthy probate process
You have children (minor or adult) you want to protect
You want clear documentation of your healthcare wishes
You value peace of mind and want to get this done right

This May Not Be For You If...

You're looking for the cheapest option regardless of quality
You want to use a generic online template without legal guidance
You're not ready to have an honest conversation about your wishes
You need immediate, same-day service (we're thorough, not rushed)

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Most clients complete their estate plan in about two weeks from our initial consultation. This includes the discovery meeting, document drafting, review session, and final signing. We don't rush the process—we take the time to get it right.

In Hawaii, a revocable living trust offers significant advantages over a will alone. While a will must go through probate (which can take 12-18 months and cost thousands in fees), a properly funded trust allows your assets to transfer immediately to your beneficiaries without court involvement. For most Hawaii property owners, a trust is the better choice.

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. If you own a home, have retirement accounts, or have minor children, you need an estate plan. Without one, Hawaii law determines who gets your assets and who makes decisions on your behalf—which may not align with your wishes. Plus, even modest estates can get stuck in expensive probate.

With offices across five islands—Waimea, Hilo, Kona, Honolulu, and Wailuku—we can serve you wherever your property is located. A properly structured trust can hold all your Hawaii real estate, regardless of which island it's on, avoiding the need for separate probate proceedings in each county.

Our estate planning packages are customized based on your specific needs. We provide clear, upfront pricing during your initial consultation—no hidden fees or surprises. We also offer payment plans to make quality estate planning accessible. Schedule a consultation to get a specific quote for your situation.

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