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HRS §560:5-108

Where guardianship and protective cases are filed

This section says which court circuit a guardianship or protective case must be filed in. For a minor, it's where the minor lives or is. For an adult, it's where the adult lives, or where the court that sent them to an institution is. If multiple cases are filed, the first one filed has priority.

childrencourtsguardiansparentsvulnerable adultswards

The statute, as written — Venue

(a) Venue for a guardianship proceeding for a minor is in the circuit of this State in which the minor resides or is present at the time the proceeding is commenced. (b) Venue for a guardianship proceeding for an incapacitated person: (1) Is in the circuit of this State in which the respondent resides; or (2) If the respondent has been admitted to an institution by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, is in the circuit in which the court is located. Venue for the appointment of an emergency or a temporary substitute guardian of an incapacitated person is also in the circuit in which the respondent is present. (c) Venue for a protective proceeding is in the circuit of this State in which the respondent resides, whether or not a guardian has been appointed in another place or, if the respondent does not reside in this State, in any circuit of this State in which property of the respondent is located. (d) If a proceeding under this article is brought in more than one circuit in this State, the court of the circuit in which the proceeding is first brought shall have the exclusive right to proceed unless that court determines that venue is properly in another court or that the interests of justice otherwise require that the proceeding be transferred.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

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