“I thought I’d have to explain everything to three different people. Tessa had read my mother’s papers before we sat down and already knew the questions.”
Marcy T.Daughter, Kailua
Estate and elder law in Honolulu
Plan it now, so nobody has to guess later
Wills, trusts, probate and care planning for Honolulu families. Pick the sentence that sounds most like you and we’ll show you where to begin.
Which one sounds like you?
What happens to my…
The questions families bring us first
Each one has a short answer, and a plan behind it.
What happens to my house?
It goes to the people you name, in the way you choose. A trust or a deed often settles it before anyone has to ask a court.
Trusts and the family homeWhat happens to my kids?
You pick who raises them and who looks after their money until they’re ready. Without a choice on paper, a court picks.
Wills and guardiansWhat happens to my car and my accounts?
Titles and beneficiary forms can override a will. We read each one so they all say the same thing.
How a will works with themWhat happens if Mom needs care?
We set out who can sign for her, who talks to the doctors, and how the family pays without losing the house.
Care planning for parentsWhat happens if I can’t decide for myself?
A power of attorney and a health care directive name the person you trust, so your family isn’t left arguing in a hospital hallway.
Powers of attorneyWhat happens to land the whole family shares?
Land passed down through the generations can end up in many names. We help families sort out who owns what, then keep it sorted.
After someone dies
A few things people ask before they book
What does it cost to get started?
The first meeting is 45 minutes and costs nothing. If you hire us, you’ll have a written flat fee before we begin, with what it includes and what it doesn’t.
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
Many families do well with a will and the right beneficiary forms. A trust helps most when there’s a house or land, young children, or relatives in more than one place. We’ll tell you plainly which one fits.
My parent already has a will. Is that the end of it?
Often it’s the start. A will says nothing about who signs if your parent can’t, or how care gets paid for. We read what exists and tell you what’s missing.
How long does it take?
Most wills and trusts are drafted within a few weeks of the first meeting, and signed in a short visit. Probate and care planning run on a timetable we’ll explain at the start.
From any island
Live on another island? You don’t need a flight
We meet clients on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island, Molokai and Lanai by video, the same way we meet them in Honolulu.
We send the draft ahead, go through it with you on screen, and tell you exactly how your documents are signed and witnessed. When there’s a signing, we arrange it close to where you live.
What a video meeting looks like
One lawyer on your file from the first call to the signed papers
Drafts and summaries sent to you before we talk
Family members can join the call from anywhere
Why families sent us the next one
“We live on Maui and never set foot in the office. The video call went through every page, and the signing was ten minutes down the road.”
Dale and Pua R.Clients, Maui
“After Dad passed, Kainoa gave us a one-page list of what happens next and in what order. We stopped lying awake.”
Glenn S.Son, Mililani
Every family’s situation is different. These words describe their experience and don’t promise a result in yours.
Who you’ll talk to
Three lawyers, each with a corner of the work
You’ll meet one of us first, and the others read your file too.
Louisa Medeiros
Founding attorney, wills and trusts
Louisa started the firm to give families a plain answer to the first question they ask.
Tessa Yamashiro
Attorney, care planning for parents
Tessa works with the sons and daughters who are coordinating a parent’s care.
Kainoa Souza
Attorney, probate and guardianship
Kainoa walks families through the weeks after a death, and through guardianship when there are no papers.
Tell us where you are, and we’ll point you to the right lawyer
A short note is enough. Someone from the office calls back within one business day.