Top Estate Lawyers Near Me in Honolulu Area

We help our clients to arrange their affairs to avoid probate and minimize taxes at death.  We also help to arrange their affairs if they desire to a) qualify for Medicaid, b) protect the asset from a child's or grandchild's divorce, lawsuit or bankruptcy or medicaid.  What sets us apart - all planning is done by choosing or creating options that that maximize tax savings for all parties involved.  We are also committed to client education and public information - I invite everyone to listen to my live, weekly radio show on estate planning, "Backyard Estate Planning" now in its 31st year where we discuss estate planning, options, advantages, disadvantages, and the like.

The Law Offices of Jo-Ann Adams, LLLC concentrates on  estate planning for smaller estates. We work with individuals and couples to prepare their estate plans. We draft and prepare legal documents for clients throughout Hawaii. Since Jo-Ann M. Adams is licensed in California, we also handle clients in California as well!. At the Law Offices of Jo-Ann Adams, LLLC, we see you as part of our ohana while offering efficient, professional legal services in matters of estate planning and document preparation. We constantly upgrade our services to provide you with the most efficient operation possible.. If you can save us time, We can save you money!. Frequently, the information needed can be sent via fax or by e-mail rather than incurring the expense of face-to-face meeting. Meetings and phone calls cost time and money. If you can send simple personal information or financial details by e-mail or fax, you will save both - time and money. Call our office to learn how much you can save!. Avoid unnecessary probate fees. Reduce estate taxes.

The legal profession is working and listening to the concerns of your clients and using your best judgement, developed through time, experience and ability to help them.

Since 1991, Mitchell S. Wong has been a trusted advocate for clients in Hawaii, beginning his legal career at the respected firm of David C. Schutter, then Schutter & Glickstein. Focusing on plaintiff’s personal injury and civil litigation, Mr. Wong gained extensive experience representing clients in cases involving serious injuries, wrongful death, and negligence. His work also included property damage claims stemming from flooding, defective construction, mold, and disputes in real estate and business transactions. Rising through the ranks, he became a partner at the firm, which was later renamed Schutter Dias Smith & Wong.. In 2004, Mr. Wong established his own law practice, continuing his work in personal injury and civil litigation while broadening his focus to include family law. His family law practice addresses divorce, child custody, paternity, Child Protective Services cases, and adoption. With decades of experience, Mr. Wong is known for his compassionate approach, meticulous preparation, and commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. Whether navigating complex litigation or sensitive family matters, Mr. Wong provides personalized legal strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs, ensuring their rights are protected and their goals are pursued.

SCOTT MAKUAKANE is a lawyer whose practice emphasizes estate planning, elder care, and trust law.  He is a graduate of Ka`u High School (1975), Duke University (cum laude 1979), and the University of Hawaii School of Law (1983), where he sat on the editorial board of the University of Hawaii Law Review.  He has been rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell since 1993.  Scott is past president of the Probate and Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the Hawaii State Bar Association, past president of the Financial Planning Association of Hawaii, and past president of the board of trustees of the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu.  He is a regular contributor to Generations magazine and hosts Malama Kupuna, a weekly television show dedicated to elder care.  Scott recently co-authored Bloopers in Estate Planning and Elder Law, as well as Amazon best-seller Lawyer Up!  He lives in Kailua, Hawaii with his wife of 34 years and their 14-year-old son, and serves as an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko`olau.

Richard J. Sakoda is a partner in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and his Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.. Mr. Sakoda was admitted to practice before all Hawaii state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii in 1992. His private practice has focused in the area of estate planning, disability planning, trusts and probate.. He is a member of the American Bar Association ("ABA"), the Hawaii State Bar Association ("HSBA"), the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the ABA, the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the HSBA, and the Elder Law Section of the HSBA. Mr. Sakoda also served on the HIPAA Sub-Committee, a joint sub-committee created by the Elder Law Section and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the HSBA. The HIPAA Sub-Committee addressed issues related to the protection and release of protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”).. Mr. Sakoda is a frequent participant on Legal-Line (formerly Ask-A-Lawyer), for which he received an Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1998. He contributed an article on "Inheritance, Wills and Trusts" for the Hawaii Women Lawyers 1996 publication Our Rights,Our Lives: A Guide To Women's Legal Rights in Hawaii.

Michelle Tucker specializes in the concerns of clients ages 55 and older who are either in retirement or planning for retirement. She is well-versed in all of the critical aspects of retirement—wealth management, taxes, estate and long-term care planning and providing legacies for loved ones. As the co-founder and partner of the firm of Sterling & Tucker for over 25 years, she has helped families make the best choices for their retirement, grow and preserve assets, save on taxes, and then be able to pass their wealth as efficiently as possible to the next generation.. Have you accumulated enough to retire and be financially independent, and how do you manage your finances so that you will not outlive your resources? If you are like most people, you will retire only once, and mistakes in this process can be extremely costly. How often do you do something perfectly, when it's the first time you have ever done it? By establishing a long-term relationship with Michelle, she can help manage your financial life not just when you retire, but for the rest of your life.. Most people want to minimize taxes. If you could be paying less income tax annually, Michelle will know it. In addition, she will help you avoid potentially huge estate taxes, income tax on IRAs, retirement distributions and inherited IRAs. She'll help you make the most of your assets so you can enjoy what you've built over a lifetime and have a successful retirement. As life progresses, she'll be a resource and guide for important decisions concerning your long-term care and the best ways to leave your wealth to those you love.. Ms. Tucker is an estate planning attorney, a Certified Financial Planner, a CPA/Personal Financial Specialist, and a Registered Financial Consultant. Her professional capabilities together with the wisdom gained from over 30 years in practice, combine to bring positive change to the lives of her clients.. She is the first attorney in Hawaii to be certified by the American Bar Association (ABA) accredited Estate Law Specialists Board, Inc., as an Estate Planning Law Specialist, and is so certified by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The Supreme Court grants Hawaii certification only to lawyers in good standing who have successfully completed a specialty program accredited by the ABA.. Ms. Tucker is an American Bar Foundation Fellow and a Charter Member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She belongs to both the Hawaii State and American Bar Associations. She belongs to the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Forensic Accountants Society of North America and the American College of Financial Planners.. She contributes to local news publications, is a sought-after public speaker and has co-authored three books; "Guiding Those Left Behind", "Total Wealth Management", and "Estate Planning Basics in Hawaii".. Ms. Tucker attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1977 and a Juris Doctor from William S. Richardson School of Law in 1981. As a student, she received numerous local and national awards, and credits much of her success to her teachers at McKinley High School, and professors at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.. Ms. Tucker is the mother of four children and spends her free time exploring Hawaii's breath-taking coastlines and mountain ranges.

Michelle Scully Hobus is a partner in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. Michelle Scully Hobus' love of helping others has directed her career path from California to Calcutta, and ultimately led her to Hawaii, and to Sterling & Tucker. Since joining the firm in 2004, Ms. Hobus has assisted clients in preserving their financial legacies with estate and disability planning. She also intimately understands the need for planning for young families who are just starting out or starting a family. Her focus is always client-centered and is a frequent presenter of Sterling and Tucker's monthly educational seminars on Oahu and in Hilo. She continues to service clients in both areas. Ms. Hobus is an Accredited Attorney with the Veterans Administration. She has dedicated herself to assisting Veterans of the United States Military with their estate planning needs, including receiving Veterans Administration benefits.. A four year Dean's List student, Ms. Hobus received her Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated Cum Laude in 1988 from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Following college Ms. Hobus spent a year with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in San Francisco, living and working with homeless women and children. After completing law school she once again worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. In 1992, Ms. Hobus received her Juris Doctor from University of San Francisco Law School. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1992, and in 2003 to the Hawaii State Bar.. Originally an attorney with a California insurance and municipality firm, Ms. Hobus took a leave of absence from practicing law after a tragic event in her personal life. While living in San Francisco with her husband, a Punahou graduate who was also an attorney, she was wounded by a deranged former client who went on a shooting spree at the prestigious San Francisco law firm where her husband was working, and where she happened to be visiting. Her husband was shot and killed while saving Michelle's life.. In the aftermath, Ms. Hobus dedicated herself to violence prevention and the passage of reasonable firearms legislation. She formed a nonprofit organization, Legal Community Against Violence and became involved with Handgun Control Inc. (The Brady Campaign) which brought her lobbying efforts to Washington, where she provided testimony before the United States Congress.. Ms. Hobus is the recipient of the Sue Kingsley Volunteer Award, Handgun Control, Inc in Washington, D.C., the Points of Light Award from San Francisco's Points of Light Foundation, the Courage To Care Award, from the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence in Los Angeles and the Leadership Award from American Jewish Congress in San Francisco.

Leighton represents clients in a wide range of high-stakes litigation, including disputes related to employment matters, contracts, personal injury, and commercial transactions.. Leighton’s clients have included numerous high-profile corporations, executives, agencies, and organizations, including major airlines, hospitals, and hotels.  Leighton has significant litigation experience, having participated in jury and non-jury trials in both state and federal courts.. Prior to joining the firm, Leighton was a partner at Marr Jones & Wang LLLP, where he handled numerous employment litigation matters, conducted in-house trainings on best employment practices, and participated in corporate investigations.  Leighton also practiced commercial litigation at Watanabe Ing, LLLP where he defended numerous corporations, governmental entities, and individuals in civil actions. Leighton served as a law clerk at the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit, State of Hawaii, to the Honorable Riki May Amano and the Honorable Terence T. Yoshioka.. Mr. Hara is admitted to practice before all of the state and federal courts of the State of Hawaii, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Lauren C.M. Santos is an associate in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker, LLP. Following law school, she served as a law clerk for the Trial Court of Massachusetts, Probate & Family Court Department. Pursuing a life-long dream, she then moved to Hawaii to serve as law clerk to Chief Judge Randall Valenciano of the Fifth Circuit Court of Kauai. In 2009 Ms. Santos joined the Kauai County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. In 2011 she was promoted to Second Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, whereby she prosecuted all Circuit Court felony property and white-collar crimes, and supervised all District Court deputy prosecutors. As a Deputy Prosecutor, Ms. Santos successfully prosecuted numerous bench and jury trials, conducted oral argument before the Intermediate Court of Appeals, and conducted regular grand jury proceedings and preliminary hearings.. In 2011, Ms. Santos accepted a civil litigation associate position with the law firm Motooka, Yamamoto & Revere, LLLP. In that position, she second chaired an eight-week jury trial resulting in a verdict for her plaintiff clients in the amount of $3.87 million dollars and later resulting in a $1.175 million dollar settlement prior to appeal. In 2012, she assisted in the founding of the civil litigation law firm Revere & Associates, LLLC. In 2014 she was promoted to lead associate, whereby she continued to handle her civil litigation caseload and provided supervision to the other associate attorneys. In her position, Ms. Santos participated in many successful arbitrations as well as bench and jury trials, including a three-week jury trial in 2016, resulting in a $5.66 million dollar verdict for her plaintiff client.

Kenneth B. Marcus has 40+ years of experience in the areas of commercial real estate law, development, finance, leasing, purchases and sales. He also has extensive experience in Hawaii business law including the formation of partnerships and limited liability companies, and corporate finance. His real property practice includes the development, acquisition, sale, financing and restructuring of hotels, office buildings and shopping centers, with particular expertise in the hotel industry. Mr. Marcus has also participated in the reorganization of and recovery of assets for insolvent insurance companies.. Mr. Marcus holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible professional rating (AV) for both his skill and his integrity.  Mr. Marcus has been selected to the Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyers® list three times(2011,2012, 2014), in the practice area of Real Estate Law. He is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Business Organizations, Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate Law, and named Best Lawyers, 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu, in the practice area of Business Organizations. He is also recognized by Chambers USA Leading Lawyers For Business for Real Estate Law.. Mr. Marcus is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. He authored the chapter for the Hawaii State Bar Association Real Estate Manual on Hotel Management, which includes Restaurant Leases and Liquor Licensing.. Mr. Marcus served as Vice Chairman of the Stadium Authority of the State of Hawaii from July 2006 through June 2014, is the past-President of Temple Emanu-el in Honolulu, and lives with his wife and three children in Kailua.

Kanani M. Makaimoku is an associate in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. She is a frequent presenter of Sterling and Tucker’s monthly educational seminars on Oahu and in Hilo.Ms. Makaimoku is a proud Honors Diploma graduate of the Kamehameha Schools. A four year Dean’s list student at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, she graduated in 2002 magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. While in college she was active in multiple student organizations, including Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Pepperdine University Hawaii Club and the Golden Key International Honor Society, where she also served as an officer. Following college, Ms. Makaimoku attended the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she received her Juris Doctor degree in 2005. While in law school Ms. Makaimoku was active in student organizations ‘Ahahui ‘O Hawai’i and Advocates for Public Interest Law (“APIL”). As a law student she volunteered for the Judiciary’s Kids First program and held externships at the Hawaii Supreme Court with Justice Simeon R. Acoba and at the Family Court of the First Circuit with (Ret.) Judge Karen M. Radius.. Ms. Makaimoku was admitted to practice before all Hawaii state courts and the United States District Court for the district of Hawaii in 2005.. Following law school Ms. Makaimoku worked for a year at a small family law firm. In 2006 Ms. Makaimoku joined the Domestic Violence Action Center as a Staff Attorney. In 2008 she was promoted to Managing Attorney, where she oversaw staff while maintaining a caseload of divorce, paternity and temporary restraining order cases. While employed at the Domestic Violence Action Center, Ms. Makaimoku developed a passion for working with survivors of domestic violence and other marginalized populations. Her desire to assist the traditionally underserved led her to devote her time as a volunteer to Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii (“VLSH”) in the Pregnant and Parenting Teens program, as well as providing legal advice to VLSH clients. Since 2012 Ms. Makaimoku has served as a volunteer mediator with the Mediation Center of the Pacific, where she mediates domestic matters. She is also a member of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club and a regular donor at the Blood Bank of Hawaii. In 1991 Ms. Makaimoku was honored by the Honolulu Police Department with a Certificate of Merit following an incident in which she assisted her father in pulling a young child from a swimming pool. Her father rendered first aid and CPR, thus saving the young child’s life.. Ms. Makaimoku is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association (“HSBA”) and the Family Law Section of the Hawaii State bar Association (“FLS”). She is also a member of the Hawaii State Judiciary’s Access to Justice Commission, where she serves on the Pro Bono Committee.. In her spare time Ms. Makaimoku relishes spending time with her husband and two young sons. She also enjoys pleasure reading, spending time at the beach, watching movies and indulging in great food with friends and family.

I represent clients from just down the street, to the mainland United States and Asia, and are involved in real estate projects and businesses as diverse as their geographies.  I take a collaborative approach and see great value in working closely with their other advisors, like accountants and financial planners, to provide an integrated overall strategy.

Greg Dunn was born and grew up on Oahu, Hawaii.  He graduated from Kamehameha Schools and Chaminade University here in Hawaii.  Greg obtained his 4-year college degree in two years and was a member of the National Honor Society in Business Administration.  He was also selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America by the U.S Jaycees for outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability and exceptional service to the community.After college, Greg worked as a life insurance salesman for 5 years and achieved the Million Dollar Round Table which represents the top 3% of life insurance salesmen for each of those years before deciding to go to law school.  He received his law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California.Before graduating from law school, Greg was commissioned as a naval officer in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG).  Being selected as a naval officer in the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps is a highly competitive position as less than 10% of all attorney and law school applicants nationally are selected.  Upon Greg's graduation from law school, he proudly served his country on active duty in the U.S. Navy for about 4 years and then decided to return home to Hawaii in 1988 to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserves and begin his civilian law practice.  In February, 2002, Greg received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy after 20 years.Initially, Greg did commercial law, family law and bankruptcy law.  He developed such a passion for helping people eliminate their debt problems that he decided to primarily focus his law practice in the area of bankruptcy law and credit counseling.  Since then, Greg has completed over 9,000 cases helping his clients become debt-free.  He has also helped clients rebuild their credit profiles as a means to accomplish their dreams and goals.  Greg is very excited and passionate about helping people eliminate their debts and rebuild their future.

EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, and RESPONSIVE lawyer who specializes in Lawsuits & Disputes in matters relating to trust disputes, partition sales, business disputes, real estate disputes, personal injury. Awarded an AV-Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell.. E-Mail:. Phone:

Eric S.T. Young, Esq. is a sole practitioner providing legal services in the areas of estate planning and probate and trust administration and litigation.  A graduate of Punahou School, Harvard University and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii, Mr. Young prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives, and counsels beneficiaries and individual and corporate fiduciaries regarding trust and probate law, fiduciary duties, liabilities, claims and defenses, estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, capital gains taxes, information and document disclosures,  prudent administration, trust distribution standards, fiduciary compensation, probate and trust accounting, creditors’ claims, priority of debts, taxes and expenses of administration, partial and in kind-non-pro rata distributions to beneficiaries, wind-up reserves, elective share litigation, statutory allowances, document interpretation, and duties of loyalty and impartiality.  Mr. Young also serves as a court-appointed master and kokua kanawai.. Mr. Young has been twice-awarded “Lawyer of the Year - Trusts and Estates Litigation” by Best Lawyers in America as reported in Honolulu Magazine (2014 & 2018), is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Hawaii Super Lawyers in “Trusts & Estates” and “Litigation - Trusts & Estates”, is ranked in U.S. News Best Law Firms (Hawaii) in “Trusts & Estates” and “Litigation - Trusts & Estates”, has an “AV” Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, and has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).. Mr. Young is a member of the Hawaii Judiciary’s Committee on the Uniform Probate Code and Probate Court Practices, is a past Chair of the Probate and the Elder Law sections of the Hawaii State Bar Association, and teaches estate planning at the Richardson School of Law.  He has written and spoken extensively on estate planning and trust and probate law in Hawaii to legal professionals.

Attorney Yuka Hongo practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, and Captive Insurance. She speaks fluent Japanese as well as English.. Attorney Yuka Hongo was born in Japan and raised in the United States. After graduating from Oberlin College, she earned her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, CA. She is licensed to practice in Hawaii, California, New York, and the District of Columbia.. In 2013, she founded Hongo Law Office, LLLC in Honolulu, HI. Our firm assists clients with estate planning matters such as the preparation of trusts, transfer on death deeds, and other documents. We also guide families through the complex probate process in Hawaii after the death of a loved one.. With experience living and working in the U.S. and Japan, attorney Yuka Hongo is able to assist U.S. residents and non-residents.