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HRS §560:3-406

Testimony Needed to Prove a Will in a Contested Case

In a court fight over whether a will was signed correctly, a self-proved will is accepted without witnesses unless fraud or forgery is shown. If the will is not self-proved, at least one witness must testify if available, or other proof like an affidavit can be used.

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The statute, as written — Formal testacy proceedings; contested cases; testimony of attesting witnesses

In a contested case hearing in which the proper execution of a will is at issue, the following rules shall apply: (1) If the will is self-proved pursuant to section 560:2-504, the will shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for execution without the testimony of any attesting witness, upon filing the will and the acknowledgement and affidavits annexed or attached to it, unless there is evidence of fraud or forgery affecting the acknowledgment or affidavit; and (2) If the will is witnessed pursuant to section 560:2-502(a)(3), but not self-proved, the testimony of at least one of the attesting witnesses shall be required to establish proper execution if within this State, competent, and able to testify. Proper execution may be established by other evidence, including an affidavit of an attesting witness. An attestation clause that is signed by the attesting witnesses shall raise a rebuttable presumption that the events received in the clause occurred.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§560:2-502 Making a Will: Witnessed and Handwritten Wills

§560:2-504 How to make your will self-proving

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