Will Contest Deadline in Hawaii

In Hawaii, a contest of an informally probated will must be started within the earliest of 90 days after receiving notice of the informal proceeding, 12 months after informal probate, or 30 days after a formal order approving the estate settlement, and a no-contest clause cannot be enforced if there was probable cause.

Last checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Deadline to contest: Earlier of 90 days after notice or 12 months; Also cut off 30 days after a formal order approving the accounts and settlement, if that comes first.
Clock starts: Notice of, or entry of, informal probate; The earliest of the listed deadlines applies.
No-contest clauses enforced: Yes, unless probable cause existed

Sources

Last checked October 2026

The rules in Hawaii

How long do you have to contest a will in Hawaii?

Deadline to contest in Hawaii: Earlier of 90 days after notice or 12 months. Also cut off 30 days after a formal order approving the accounts and settlement, if that comes first.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Hawaii?

Clock starts in Hawaii: Notice of, or entry of, informal probate. The earliest of the listed deadlines applies.

Are no-contest clauses in wills enforceable in Hawaii?

Yes, unless probable cause existed. No-contest clauses enforced in Hawaii: yes, unless probable cause existed.

Where do the Hawaii will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-108 and Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-905. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.