The best plan is what an informed person decides.

Everyone has a different story.  Until you sit down with an attorney, it's difficult to know what your options are.  In most estate planning cases, the first meeting is complementary and we will give you a quote for the option you choose, before moving forward with your plan.  

 
 
 

Do you have an existing estate plan?

To prepare yourself for the first meeting, you can use the worksheet that best fits you below. 

 
 

Estate Planning Newbies

If you have no estate planning documents, we can educate you on your options, and help you set up a plan to fit your goals. 

 

Estate Planning Reviewers

If you already have a Will or Trust and want want to review it because life and law changes, we can help.

 
 
 
 

 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call our office at (808) 334-3343.

Whether you are a Newbie or a Reviewer, we will focus on understanding your current family situation, assets, and goals.  At our first meeting, we ask questions, listen closely, and provide solutions to accomplish your goals. We are ready to help you through the planning process.

 

 

What should be brought to the first estate planning meeting?

An attorney will walk you through the process of the initial interview, but the more information you have available to share, the more productive the first meeting is. Generally, please have an idea of what you own and how the primary assets are titled. Also, we recommend starting the conversation with your spouse/partner, if any, about what you would like to happen to your assets after your lifetime and who you would like to be in charge of carrying out your wishes.

If you have any of the following documents or information, please bring them to the meeting:

  • Real property deed(s) (if not available, tmk or physical address)

  • Current estate planning documents (if you have a will, trust, durable power of attorney, advance healthcare directive, etc.)

  • Life insurance policies

  • Full legal names of designated beneficiaries

  • Approximate net worth

 
 
Estate Planning Videos
What assets should be in my trust?
What assets should be in my trust?

What assets should you put in your trust? Avoiding probate, planning in case of incapacity, and making things as easier for loved ones after your death are all things to consider.

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Do I need estate planning?
Do I need estate planning?

An initial estate planning meeting is recommended for most people, because it's a face-to-face opportunity to understand what your options are. There are five general categories or times in your life, where estate planning should be done.

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Who should be the guardian of my child?
Who should be the guardian of my child?

If something were to happen were to happen to you, who would take care of your child? With a will or trust you can nominate someone you trust to care for your child. Attorney John Roth explains the difference between a guardian and a conservator and how to set and age of inheritance with your estate plan.

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What is the difference between a personal representative vs. a trustee?
What is the difference between a personal representative vs. a trustee?

They both have important roles in your estate plan, but what’s the different between a personal representative versus a trustee? Basically, after your lifetime, a trustee is responsible for your assets held in trust and a personal representative is responsible for your assets held in your individual name. You name your personal representative is named in your will and your successor trustee is named in your trust.

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Do I pay tax at my death?
Do I pay tax at my death?

Estate planning attorney John Roth unpacks the estate tax and gift tax rules to answer wether you (or rather your estate) will owe taxes when you pass. What year you die in, how many gifts you gave in your life, and how much wealth you die with all matter when considering paying estate taxes.

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Will vs. Trust Webinar Recording
Will vs. Trust Webinar Recording

Amid social distancing measures and uncertainty about COVID-19, we partnered with Tutu’s House to give a Will vs. Trust webinar. This video contains the highlights of this estate planning webinar by attorney John Roth in July 2020.

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Estate Planning Basics Webinar Recording
Estate Planning Basics Webinar Recording

John covers the basics of estate planning- the proactive process of setting up a plan in case of your incapacity or death. This video contains the highlights of a recorded webinar by attorney John Roth, hosted by Tutu’s House in April 2020.

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Should I hold my investments in trust?
Should I hold my investments in trust?

Not sure if you should hold your investments in trust? In this episode John talks with Certified Financial Planner Taylor Easley about whether investments should go into your trust or not.

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What is Hospice?
What is Hospice?

Katherine Werner Brooks, Executive Director of nonprofit North Hawaii Hospice, explains how hospice care works on the latest Just Ask John episode. She also answers: How do you qualify for Hospice? How much does Hospice cost?

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How should you hold title to your property in Hawaii?
How should you hold title to your property in Hawaii?

Not sure how you should hold title to your real estate in Hawaii? In this episode you’ll learn about the different ways to hold title to a piece of property and how some can help you protect your assets and even avoid probate.

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Your story.  Your plan.