Business Details
15 Years
experience
Honolulu Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys
Established in 2011, the Law Office of Samuel K.L. Suen has provided exceptional legal services to Hawaii residents with unwavering integrity. Our practice focuses on estate planning, probate, conservatorship, guardianship, and trust administration, delivered through a client-centered approach that prioritizes direct communication and personalized solutions. With over a decade of experience, we combine deep legal expertise with compassionate representation to address complex matters while maintaining transparency in billing practices. Our founder, Samuel K.L.Suen, brings specialized knowledge from roles as a law clerk, associate attorney, and volunteer arbitrator, ensuring comprehensive understanding of trust and probate litigation. We demonstrate authoritativeness through recognition by Super Lawyers and Honolulu Magazine, while our commitment to pro bono work underscores our dedication to equitable access to legal representation. Clients benefit from our meticulous attention to detail, fiduciary responsibility expertise, and proactive approach to minimizing future legal disputes.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Conservatorship
Guardianship
Trust Administration
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer direct communication with the attorney handling your case
- We provide free initial consultations and home visits
- Our transparent billing practices include detailed invoice explanations
- We combine trust litigation experience with fiduciary responsibility expertise
- We maintain active pro bono involvement with legal aid organizations
What people say
Calm, steady advice
Incredible support
Alacrity and honesty
Reliable future assistance
Patient with us
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help clients create comprehensive legal frameworks for asset distribution and future care. We specialize in revocable living trusts, wills, power of attorney documents, and advance health care directives. Our approach minimizes probate requirements while ensuring client intentions are clearly documented through personalized consultations and tailored legal solutions.
Probate Administration
We guide personal representatives through Hawaii's probate process for estates of varying complexity. Our services include asset inventory, creditor notification, tax filing, and final distribution of assets. We provide expert navigation of court requirements while maintaining transparency throughout the administration process for estates both with and without valid wills.
Conservatorship
Our firm assists in establishing conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults under Hawaii law. We help clients navigate court proceedings, prepare required documentation, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities. Our services include annual reporting requirements and ongoing estate management to protect vulnerable individuals' financial interests.
Guardianship
We provide legal representation for establishing guardianships to protect individuals unable to make personal decisions. Our services cover both minor children and incapacitated adults, including court documentation preparation, medical evaluation coordination, and guidance on fulfilling court-mandated responsibilities for the protected person's welfare.
Trust Administration
Our trust administration services help trustees fulfill their legal obligations while minimizing potential conflicts. We provide guidance on asset management, beneficiary communication, and tax compliance. Our expertise includes inventorying trust assets, preparing accountings, and ensuring proper distribution according to grantor intentions while maintaining fiduciary standards.
People
Samuel K.L. Suen
Attorney
Samuel K.L. Suen is a Honolulu-born attorney specializing in estate planning and probate law. With experience as a law clerk, associate attorney, and volunteer arbitrator, he provides expert legal guidance while maintaining active involvement in legal aid organizations and professional associations.
Questions
What estate planning documents are most important?
The core documents include revocable living trusts, wills, durable power of attorney, and advance health care directives. These ensure comprehensive coverage for asset distribution, incapacity planning, and healthcare decisions.
How does probate work in Hawaii?
Hawaii's probate process involves six steps: notifying interested parties, appointing a personal representative, inventorying assets, paying claims, filing tax returns, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries through court supervision.
What's the difference between conservatorship and guardianship?
Conservatorship manages financial affairs for minors or incapacitated adults, while guardianship handles personal care decisions. Both require court proceedings but address different aspects of legal protection.
How are legal fees structured for estate planning?
We use flat fees for estate planning documents, covering all consultations and document preparation. Ancillary services may be billed hourly, with detailed invoices explaining all charges.
Can I avoid probate through estate planning?
Properly structured revocable living trusts can help avoid probate for most assets. Our planning considers both probate avoidance and comprehensive asset protection strategies tailored to individual circumstances.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Hawaii?
Intestate estates follow Hawaii's succession laws for asset distribution. Our firm helps families navigate the probate process for estates without valid wills, ensuring proper legal procedures are followed.
