Which Hawaii court hears your civil case
Civil jurisdiction thresholds with statutory authority. Source: 1Court Directory, verified 2026-08-20 (official source).
| Tier | Court | Amount in controversy | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims | District Court: Small Claims Division No cap for residential security-deposit claims. | Up to $5,000 | HRS § 633-27 |
| Limited civil | District Court | Up to $40,000 | HRS § 604-5 |
| General civil | Circuit Court Over $40,000. | No limit | HRS § 603-21.5 |
Answer deadline after service
A defendant generally has 20 days after service of the summons and complaint to file an answer (HRCP 12(a)).
Estimates from the statutory answer period; service-method extensions and local rules can change these dates. Verify before relying on them. Not legal advice.
18 Hawaii forms SimpleCase prepares
Generated from your uploaded complaint, with captions and terminology matched to Hawaii practice. Every document is a draft for attorney review.
- Notice of Appearance(pattern) Appearance of counsel; service on undersigned requested
- Motion for Continuance(pattern) Good-cause continuance with proposed order
- Notice of Deposition(pattern) Oral deposition with optional duces tecum; recording method per rule
- Civil Subpoena(pattern) Testimony and/or production (duces tecum); issuance and witness-fee rules vary
- Answer(pattern) Responsive pleading: denials and affirmative defenses
- Satisfaction of Judgment(pattern) acknowledgment of satisfaction for entry on the docket
- Complaint(pattern) HRCP 3, 8: Circuit Court; District Court to $40,000 (HRS § 604-5): initiating pleading
- SummonsHRCP 4 / HRCP 12(a): 20-day answer
- Civil Information SheetHawai'i Circuit Court (1C-P-200 style): required at filing
- Return and Acknowledgment of ServiceHRCP 4(g): return of service
- Ex Parte Motion to Proceed In Forma PauperisHRS § 607-3: fee waiver
- Notice of DismissalHRCP 41(a)(1): voluntary dismissal
- Request for Entry of Default and Motion for Default JudgmentHRCP 55(a)/(b): two-stage default, 3-day notice if appeared
- Affidavit of Non-Military ServiceSCRA: 50 U.S.C. § 3931
- Default JudgmentHRCP 55(b): 10% interest (HRS § 478-3)
- Garnishee Summons and Order: WagesHRS ch. 652: 120% hold, wage portion per HRS § 652-1
- Garnishee Summons and Order: AccountsHRS ch. 652: deposits & property, 120% hold
- Examination of Judgment DebtorHRS § 636-6: post-judgment asset discovery
Filing packages
One click assembles the forms a Hawaii matter typically needs at each stage.
General Civil
Complaint · Summons · Civil Information Sheet · Return and Acknowledgment of Service
Collections: File & Serve
Complaint · Summons · Civil Information Sheet · Return and Acknowledgment of Service
Collections: Default Judgment
Request for Entry of Default and Motion for Default Judgment · Affidavit of Non-Military Service · Default Judgment
Collections: Enforce Judgment
Satisfaction of Judgment · Garnishee Summons and Order: Wages · Garnishee Summons and Order: Accounts · Examination of Judgment Debtor
Fee Waiver
Ex Parte Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Voluntary Dismissal
Notice of Dismissal
County-level court details
Filing fees, clerk contacts, e-filing portals, and courthouse addresses for every Hawaii county are in the 1Court Directory: Hawaii.
How it works
Upload your case document
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Every required form, filled and assembled as a ZIP, ready for attorney review and filing.
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Try SimpleCase freeSimpleCase prepares document drafts for attorney review; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Court data on this page is sourced from the 1Court Directory with the verification date shown, and statutes and court rules change: always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and fees with the clerk of the court before filing.