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Peter K. Kubota
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Peter K. Kubota
Peter K. Kubota, Attorney at Law
505 Kilauea Ave.
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 935-2422 | Fax: (808) 935-5999
Practical Estate Planning
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Estate planning, general business matters, real estate purchase and sale transactions.
Sub-Categories
Banking & Loans
- Credit Unions
- Savings & Thrifts
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
HI, Oct 1989
Bar Number: 5070
Other Court Admissions
Hawaii Supreme Court and U.S. District Court.
Association Memberships
Hawaii State Bar Association Elder Law Section, and Real Estate Section.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education annually.
Example Cases
I help families to figure out and provide for their estate planning needs. I take the time to listen to my clients and their desires, wishes, and sometimes things that they are not so eager to discuss in the open. In order to serve a client well, an attorney must fully understand his client's situation in order to recommend legal solutions which fit their family needs, and then draft documents to meet their needs and wishes.
A mass-market trust mill practice does not have the time or attention to provide personalized service to its clients. The true test of your attorney?s worth, is not when you walk out the door with signed documents, but perhaps in 5, 10, or 20 years, when you or your family needs legal help to administer your plan or deal with changes in your life. For that, your attorney should have a long-term commitment to serving his clients in the Hilo community we live in.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
William S. Richardson School of Law
City:
Honolulu
State:
HI
Year:
1989
Honors:
Graduated in top 10 of law class.
Degree:
Bachelor of Business Administration-Finance
School:
University of Hawaii at Manoa
City:
Honolulu
State:
HI
Year:
1985
Honors:
Graduated with distinction.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Hawaii
Firm Focus and History
My primary areas of practice are in estate planning, general business representation, and real estate transactions. Of the three areas, I enjoy estate planning most, because I am able to help clients to deal with issues in a practical, sensible way. My job is to take the burden off of my client's shoulders and help them to solve their problems and needs.
I started my solo practice in 1998, after being trained in two of Hawaii's largest law firms. Being in a solo practice gives me the flexibility to work only in the areas that I enjoy doing, and being able to choose and enjoy the working relationship with my clients.
Previous Employment Summary
I started my legal practice in 1989 with the Law Firm of Case and Lynch in Honolulu. I moved to the Carlsmith Ball Law Firm in 1995, and then started my solo practice in 1998. I have been practicing on my own since then.
Activities and Awards
President, Kaumana Terrace Community Association
President, Ernest B. De Silva Elementary PTA
Trustee, Hilo Boarding School
Past President, Hawaii County Bar Association
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
With the availability of legal resources online, clients should learn as much as they can before consulting a lawyer. It makes the legal relationship stronger and more efficient for the client, who typically will pay by the hour for legal counsel. Clients who are well prepared ask better questions and we can really focus in on drafting a plan which takes care of their needs in the least complicated and most practical way.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Generally, not. By reviewing someone else's documents, I must take on the responsibility of getting it right, and the time spent and costs involved in working on self-help documents usually does not balance out for clients who wish to draft their own legal documents.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
None.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
My father, a retired judge, always encouraged me to become a lawyer. He said that I have the personality to work well with clients. I recall that as a child, I had the patience and temperament to "talk story" with elders, when many of my contemporaries would not take the time to do so. I enjoy listening to my client's life story, taking their anxiety and worry about complicated issues, and solving their legal issues by breaking them down into manageable pieces which they can understand and have some control over. My simple goal is to help my clients find peace in their lives on the matters they bring to me for legal help. This is a small town, and we all need to take care of each other to try and make this a better place to live. One of the things I do to help make this a better place is to provide practical legal help for those who need it.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have a degree in Business Finance and have a fairly good understanding of the Hawaii real estate market. Most of my experience and qualifications as an attorney come from 20 years of experience in representing all sorts of clients in business, real estate, and estate planning.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I gravitated to these three areas because they are typically interrelated. Business people often have real estate or estate planning needs. People buying and selling real estate have enough of an estate to need to protect, and estate planning clients have real estate that they need to deal with. I try to stay out of court (litigation) as much as possible because I find the office practice much more rewarding as an attorney. To practice in these areas well, it requires one to listen closely and try to figure out how people think and act. Everyone has a different life story, everyone is interesting, and everyone can benefit by having an independent third party look at their situation and advise them objectively on what is in their best interest.
What do you like best about your career?
I like people. It doesn't matter whether they are wealthy, modest or poor, educated or not, local, newcomers or immigrants. I represent clients who are good folks, who try to live a clean, fair life and do what is pono. For those folks seeking a "gladiator" lawyer who will do whatever it takes to get to the end, I am probably not the right person. This is a beautiful island and we are all lucky to be living and raising our children here. It's small enough that everyone can and does make a difference. We all need to do our part to keep Hawaii Island a wonderful place to live. This is my part to contribute to our island.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a very friendly and gracious receptionist and two of the best and most well-trained legal assistants that I have ever worked with.
What are your strengths and style?
Translating complicated legal matters into straightforward explanations that everyone can understand, and having a basic understanding on how people think and act.
Personal Interests:
Exercise including swimming and farming. Reading, when time permits. Helping to raise my children with good values and appreciation of God's gifts, and compassion for those around them.
Office Manager/Assistant
Daria.
Fax
(808) 935-5999
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Typically $500 to $600 for wills, power of attorney, and health care documents. Trusts will range from $1,500 (single) to $2,000 (married) including powers of attorney and health care documents.
Hourly Rates
$200 per hour for other legal matters.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free initial consultation up to one hour for estate planning. Business and real estate advice are charged on an hourly rate.
Typical Retainer
Typically, the cost of the estate plan, or the estimated cost of the other legal project.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
