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HRS §560:3-1004

When estate money has already been handed out, who pays a late claim?

This section covers what happens when someone makes a valid claim against an estate after the assets have already been given to the heirs or beneficiaries. It says who can be sued, how much they owe, and what happens if one heir doesn't tell the others about the claim.

beneficiariescreditorsheirs

The statute, as written — Liability of distributees to claimants

After assets of an estate have been distributed and subject to section 560:3-1006, an undischarged claim not barred may be prosecuted in a proceeding against one or more distributees. No distributee shall be liable to claimants for amounts received as exempt property, homestead or family allowances, or for amounts in excess of the value of that person's distribution as of the time of distribution. As between distributees, each shall bear the cost of satisfaction of unbarred claims as if the claim had been satisfied in the course of administration. Any distributee who shall have failed to notify other distributees of the demand made upon that distributee by the claimant in sufficient time to permit them to join in any proceeding in which the claim was asserted against that distributee loses the right of contribution against other distributees.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§560:3-1006 Deadlines for claims against people who got estate property

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.