Estate Planning Lawyers for Hawaii
Looking for an estate planning lawyer in Hawaii?
ContractsCounsel helps businesses across Hawaii hire vetted estate planning lawyers, offering fixed-fee quotes with the first proposal typically arriving in just a few hours.
Hire a Lawyer for 60% Less than Traditional Law Firms
Meet some of our Hawaii Estate Planning Lawyers
August 10, 2023
Jeanilou M.
Jeanilou G.T. Maschhoff has over 20 years of comprehensive business operations, finance, and development experience in addition to being a licensed attorney in California and Hawaii. She zealously works as a Trusted Advisor, Business/Brand Consultant, and Advocate for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and personal brands. She is dedicated to helping female business owners and professionals in the entertainment, beauty, fashion, and wellness industries make their goals a reality. She uses her diversified expertise to provide a holistic approach to addressing business and legal needs. Acting as a trusted advisor and outsourced general counsel, she assists on an array of business and personal matters. Passionate about social justice and assisting underrepresented populations, Jeanilou started her legal career working in the non-profit sector working towards access to justice and gender equity. She continues to assist non-profit organizations in many capacities and actively looks to partner businesses with charitable causes, creating a synergistic effect that benefits not only the organizations involved but our society as a whole. As an early adopter of the virtual practice of law, Jeanilou has been assisting law firms and solo practitioners adjust to the remote delivery of legal services and helping businesses explore Web 3.0.
October 24, 2023
Samantha P.
Samantha earned her J.D. at the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law and has been a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association since 2020. Samantha has worked as a Family Law attorney in Hawaii since 2020, and has represented clients on a variety of family law matters including: premarital agreements, pre- and post-judgement custody, parenting time and child support issues, pre- and post-divorce issues, interstate custody, and paternity issues. Samantha is a certified E-RYT 200 yoga instructor, taught yoga classes at the Modern Hotel in Waikiki throughout law school, and continues to teach yoga classes at various yoga studios in Honolulu to this day.
October 29, 2024
Jerry C.
I have been practicing law for over twenty years. My practice includes employment/labor law, alternative dispute resolution, estate planning, business and general civil matters.
July 25, 2025
Shannon Y.
Attorney specializing in Family Law and Small Business Law. Georgetown and London School of Economics alum. Law Degree from UH Manoa Richardson School of Law. Small local business entrepreneur on Oahu for 10+ years.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowMeet some of our other Estate Planning Lawyers
Adalbert M.
Dynamic Attorney helping people and small business owners protect their assets. Managing Partner at Apfelbaum Martinez Law, in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Offering a wide range of legal services including: Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Estate Planning, Living Trusts and Wills, POA and Advanced Directives, Business Formation, Contract drafting, Business Counsel, Prenuptials and Postnuptials, and more. **Licensed in Florida and fluent in English and Spanish.
"Super professional, punctual and with great personality! I am happy with our work!"
Kimbrelly K.
Attorney Kegler has been licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina since 1998. Over the years, she has worked in firms that focused on small business financing, initial startup formation, to starting several businesses of her own with bootstrap financing to venture capital funding. As a Certified Dream Manager, she couples the skills of listening to understand the big picture to get to solutions that not only fit today's needs but also the long term needs of her entrepreneurial clients.
"Exposed a number of necessities which I had totally overlooked trying to start things on my own. She was straight-forward about what needed done, offered a thorough plan of action to get us to where we needed to be, and maintained an optimistic, caring, and friendly atmosphere through the project. I would highly recommend her services to anyone looking to start a business!"
Christina S.
I am an attorney who has been practicing for over a decade, experienced in multiple areas of law, both from a litigation and more procedural side. The great thing about my practice is that it has trained me to deal with so many different types of problems and to find solutions in a variety of legal scenarios that are almost never similar.
"Christina was prompt and friendly and walked me through the steps I needed to take to file for my name change! She made the process much less intimidating and I highly recommend her services."
Danny J.
I have had my own law practice since 2014 and I enjoy solving my clients’ problems. That’s why I constantly stay on top of the latest developments in the law and business of startups, entertainment, art, intellectual property, and commercial enterprise. I constantly keep learning because everything I learn helps me make my client’s life better. I assist clients in all aspects of copyright, trademark, contract, trade secret, business, nonprofit, employment, mediation, art, fashion, and entertainment law. Even though I am licensed to practice law in NY, I have worked for clients all over the country and even in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. No matter the client, I always look for ways to protect their assets, artworks, businesses, and brands with strategies to help them grow. I am a fluent bilingual legal professional who can analyze complex legal and business problems and solve them creatively for the benefit of my clients. I am detail-oriented and attentive which makes me excellent at negotiating, drafting, and revising all types of agreements and deals. I advise creatives and companies on intellectual property issues, risk management, and strategic planning. My clients love what I do for them because I employ a practical, client-tailored, and results-oriented approach to their case, no matter how small.
"Solid substantive work on a B2B services agreement review. Danny strengthened the data rights, IP, and liability sections with precise definitions and useful statutory references, delivered ahead of schedule, and his cover memo was clear and well-organized. Would hire again."
Karl D. S.
Karl D. Shehu, has a multidisciplinary practice encompassing small business law, estate and legacy planning, real estate law, and litigation. Attorney Shehu has assisted families, physicians, professionals, and people of faith provide for their loved ones by crafting individualized estate and legacy plans. Protecting families and safeguarding families is his passion. Attorney Shehu routinely represents lenders, buyers, sellers, and businesses in real estate transactions, researching and resolving title defects, escrowing funds, and drafting lending documents. To date, Attorney Shehu has closed a real estate deal in every town in Connecticut. As a litigator, Attorney Shehu has proven willing to engage in contentious court battles to obtain results for his clients. While practicing at DLA Piper, LLP, in Boston, Attorney Shehu represented the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in multidistrict litigations filed throughout the United States. He has been a passionate advocate for immigrants and the seriously injured, frequently advising against lowball settlement offers. He is willing to try every case to verdict, and he meticulously prepares every case for trial. Attorney Shehu began his legal career as a consumer lawyer, utilizing fee-shifting statutes to force unscrupulous businesses to pay the legal fees of aggrieved consumers. For example, in Access Therapies v. Mendoza, 1:13-cv-01317 (S.D. Ind. 2014), Attorney Shehu utilized unique interpretations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, Truth-in-Lending Act, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to obtain a favorable result for his immigrant client. Attorney Shehu is a Waterbury, Connecticut native. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel grammar school, The Loomis Chaffee School, and Chase Collegiate School before earning degrees from Boston College, the University of Oxford’s Said Business School in England, and Pepperdine University School of Law. At Oxford, Karl was voted president of his class. Outside of his law practice, Attorney Shehu has worked to improve the world around him by participating in numerous charitable endeavors. He is a former candidate for the Connecticut Senate and a parishioner of St. Patrick Parish and Oratory in Waterbury. In addition, Attorney Shehu has written extensively on the Twenty-fifth Amendment and law firm retention by multinational firms.
October 19, 2022
Craig C.
I have 31 years of experience with drafting, editing, revising, reviewing and amending business and commercial contracts and agreements of all kinds. I have an extensive commercial/civil litigation background as well as years of healthcare regulatory experience.
November 4, 2022
Cherryl M.
I am a U.S. lawyer (licensed in California) and have recently relocated to London. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctor law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. I have extensive experience in providing legal services and support in areas of business, labor & employment, IP enforcement (patent infringement, copyright & trademark), and other litigation matters; Reviewing, drafting, and editing business and legal documents/contracts; Conducting legal research and analysis, drafting memorandums, pleadings, discovery, document review, various motions, mediation briefs, and other litigation related activities; Reviewing and preparation of templates, policies, and processes for compliance with laws and regulations; educating and advising on legal and compliance issues.
November 3, 2022
Myron M.
For over 20 years Myron E. Mims Esq. has provided legal and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses. Mims served as regional counsel for a real estate investment and development firm where he managed the Company’s contract execution and management, and dispute resolution affairs. Mims was responsible for oversight and risk management of all legal affairs, including management of a robust litigation docket consisting of a seven figure, multi-party construction lawsuit, and multiple vendor and tenant disputes. Mims prepared new contract docs and implemented execution and management processes that lead to the reduction of litigation. As a managing partner of Nixon Mims, LLP Mims provided legal and consulting services to clients of that consisted of real estate, construction, telecommunications, media and food industry businesses. Mims routinely assisted clients with developing corporate governance and management protocols, strategic planning initiatives, and advised clients in the negotiation and execution of complex business transactions. Mims routinely provided operational oversight and technical analysis for management. During this period Mims obtained firsthand experience of the access to capital impediments and challenges that growth-stage businesses face.
Estate Planning Legal Questions and Answers
Estate Planning
Employment Contract
Florida
What's vacation time in an employment contract?
I recently accepted a new job and I was provided an employment contract to review. In the contract, there is a section about vacation time, but it is not very clear. I'm trying to understand what vacation time is included in the contract and what the expectations are for taking time off. I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of my rights and responsibilities regarding vacation time before I sign the contract.
Diane D.
You can create your own will. However, having an attorney draft it for you will ensure that your wishes are carried out in all circumstances. Doing it yourself without having any experience may cause many problems after your demise.
Estate Planning
Will
Illinois
Can I designate a non-family member as the executor of my will?
I am in the process of creating my will and estate plan, and I am considering designating a close friend as the executor instead of a family member. My family dynamics are complicated, and I do not have a strong relationship with any of my relatives. I trust my friend's judgment and organizational skills, and I believe they would be better suited to handle the responsibilities of executing my will. Can I legally appoint a non-family member as the executor, and what factors should I consider when making this decision?
Megan W.
Yes, you can appoint anyone you want as your executor of the Will.
Estate Planning
Will
Kansas
Can I designate a non-family member as the executor of my will?
I am in the process of creating my will and estate plan, and I am wondering if it is possible to designate a non-family member, such as a close friend or trusted advisor, as the executor of my will. While I have a good relationship with my family, I believe that this non-family member would be better suited to handle the administrative duties and ensure my wishes are carried out accurately and efficiently. I want to ensure that this decision is legally permissible and if there are any potential complications or considerations I should be aware of.
Randy M.
You don’t have to name a family member as the executor of your will. In many cases, choosing someone outside the family is not only allowed but actually a smart move. With one notable exception, no U.S. state requires your executor to be a family member. What matters most is that the person is trustworthy, capable, and legally qualified to handle the role. Why someone outside the family might be the better choice For some people, appointing a friend, a professional advisor, or even a neutral third party just makes more sense. They’re often less emotionally entangled in family matters and better equipped to make level-headed decisions during what’s usually a tense and emotional time. Also, if they have relevant experience, like being an attorney or financial planner, they may already understand what the job entails. What the law actually requires Legally speaking, most states just require that your executor be at least 18 years old and mentally competent. From there, it’s mostly about whether the person is willing and whether the state has any disqualifying rules, such as felony convictions or certain types of misconduct. Some states are stricter than others on that point. Watch out for location-based restrictions Every state allows non-family executors, but a few have extra rules for people who live out of state. For example, your chosen executor might have to post a bond, work with a local co-executor, or name someone in-state to receive official documents. Florida is the sole exception. It generally limits executors (technically called “personal representatives” there) to relatives or their spouses. But that’s the exception, not the rule. A few things to think through Choosing an executor isn’t just about who you trust. It’s also about who can realistically handle the responsibility. They’ll have access to all your financial info, need to manage assets, pay off debts and taxes, and make sure everything is distributed properly. That’s a lot to take on. Also, consider how far they live. While distance isn’t always a deal-breaker, having someone nearby can make things easier, especially when there’s paperwork to sign or property to manage. And then there’s the family piece. If you pick someone outside the family, be prepared for possible tension. Even if your choice makes perfect sense, relatives may feel hurt or suspicious. If you’re concerned about that, it’s worth having a conversation in advance to explain your reasoning. What about compensation and other options? Executors are entitled to compensation for their time and effort, usually a percentage of the estate’s value (often 2 to 5 percent), depending on the state. Just keep in mind that executor fees are considered taxable income, while inheritances typically are not. If you’re trying to strike a balance, you can name co-executors, such as a trusted friend and a family member. This can help keep everyone involved while making sure the job gets done right. Just be aware it can slow things down, since both have to agree on major decisions. And if your estate is especially large or complicated, you might want to bring in a professional fiduciary, such as a trust company, bank, or estate attorney. They charge more, but you’re paying for deep experience and institutional reliability. Before you lock in your decision, here’s what to do: 1. Double-check your state’s requirements, especially if the person lives out of state. 2. Talk to your chosen executor to confirm they’re willing to take on the role. 3. Name an alternate in case your first pick can’t serve later. 4. Spell out compensation clearly in your will, or reference state guidelines. And finally, it’s always smart to run your estate plan by a local attorney or an attorney here on Contracts Counsel. State laws can vary more than people realize, and a quick legal review now can prevent a lot of headaches later. At the end of the day, choosing the right executor is about trust, competence, and clarity. Whether they’re family or not, you want someone who can step in and carry out your wishes with care and professionalism.
Estate Planning
Durable Power of Attorney
Colorado
How does a durable power of attorney work when the person dies?
If you have a durable power of attorney and the person dies, do you still have the authority or does it go to the spouse. I have a durable power of attorney for my aunt, she just died and I'm trying to take care of her funeral and things. Does her husband now have the right to make decisions or myself with the durable power of attorney?
Sarah D.
A Durable Power of attorney for finances (and healthcare) expires once your aunt dies. It is the executor of her will who now acts in that stead related to her finances. If the executor is the spouse, it will be his right to make the decisions. However, if all property was jointly owned between spouses, there is no need to probate the will under Colorado law.
Estate Planning
Power of Attorney
Illinois
I am my brother's payee I am planning on moving another state my brother has had two aneurysms do I need power of attorney to move him to another state
My mom just died in 2020 February she was controlling the household I was living in Wisconsin when my mother died I was the only son capable taking care of things financially and mentally my oldest brother have had two aneurysms when my mom died I had to take care of my oldest brother and my youngest brother which he died the same day as my mom and my dad since then my oldest brother has lost his eyesight and he can't remember a lot of things I just want to know I am new to this do I need power of attorney to move my brother to another state
T. Phillip B.
You don't necessarily need a POA to move him to another state if he is agreeing to move. But at some point you'll need a POA (if he has the capacity to sign one) or to become his guardian.
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
View Trustpilot ReviewHow It Works
Post Your Project
Get Free Bids to Compare
Hire Your Lawyer
Estate Planning lawyers by top cities
- Austin Estate Planning Lawyers
- Boston Estate Planning Lawyers
- Chicago Estate Planning Lawyers
- Dallas Estate Planning Lawyers
- Denver Estate Planning Lawyers
- Houston Estate Planning Lawyers
- Los Angeles Estate Planning Lawyers
- New York Estate Planning Lawyers
- Phoenix Estate Planning Lawyers
- San Diego Estate Planning Lawyers
- Tampa Estate Planning Lawyers
Estate Planning lawyers by nearby cities
Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.
View Trustpilot Review
I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.
View Trustpilot Review
I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.
View Trustpilot ReviewHow It Works
Post Your Project
Get Free Bids to Compare
Hire Your Lawyer