Haw. Prob. R. 7 (2026)

Rule 7. METHODS OF SERVING NOTICE.

Except as otherwise specifically provided by these rules, statutes, or court order, personal service of notice may be made by means of hand delivery or first-class mailing to the person at the person's last known address, by mailing or delivering a copy of any document to an attorney who makes an appearance for a person in the proceeding, by service of process and summons, by publication, or by any other method reasonably calculated to give notice to interested persons. Service of notice on a guardian ad litem shall be deemed to be equivalent to service on the persons represented by the guardian ad litem. HRS § 560:1-401 identifies various methods of serving notice. HRS § 560:5- 309(b) requires notice in a conservatorship to be "served personally" on the respondent. Service of notice by a sheriff or other official is not necessary if a more informal process can achieve the same result. The rule also clarifies that service of notice on a guardian ad litem is sufficient to cover notice on the individuals represented by that guardian ad litem, and that additional notice to the individuals is unnecessary. (Commentary amended April 28, 2006, effective July 1, 2006.)