Intestate Succession in Hawaii
State-specific overview · Estate & Probate
Hawaii prioritizes surviving spouses and descendants, with the spouse receiving the entire estate if no children exist.
How Hawaii treats Intestate Succession
Hawaii's intestate succession law favors the surviving spouse heavily. If the deceased leaves a spouse but no descendants, the spouse inherits the entire estate. If both a spouse and descendants exist, the spouse receives the first $100,000 plus one-half of the remaining estate, with descendants splitting the rest. Hawaii also recognizes adopted children and children born outside marriage on equal footing with biological children.
The general definition of Intestate Succession
The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.
If someone dies without a will (or with an invalid will), state law determines who inherits their property. Each state has a set order of priority—usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings. The court appoints an administrator to manage the estate and follow these statutory rules, even if the deceased person's wishes were different.
Read the full Intestate Succession entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii.