Free Arkansas forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
In Arkansas, a will is signed before 2Ark. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitArk. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Arkansas allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2Act 1264 of 2013 § 2; Ark. Code Ann. § 20-6-103Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Arkansas treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultArk. Code §§ 28-68-102, 28-68-104, 28-68-105, 28-68-106, 28-68-107, 28-68-109, 28-68-112, 28-68-113, 28-68-119, 28-68-120, 28-68-201, 28-68-204 through 28-68-217, 28-68-301; Ark. Code § 18-12-501; Acts 2011 No. 805 (SB887, primary enactment); Acts 2021 No. 804 (HB1518, added "create" to § 28-68-201(a)(1) and § 28-68-301 form); Acts 2021 No. 356 (HB1455, amended §§ 18-12-501, 18-12-502); no amendments to Ch. 68 or § 18-12-501 after 2021 (re-checked 2026-09-18 via arkleg Code Sections Amended, /Acts/CodeSection?section=28|18 for every session 2013R through 2026F/2026S1 — zero Ch. 68 / § 18-12-501 rows; 2021R control returns §§ 28-68-201, 28-68-301, 18-12-501, 18-12-502; 2026F/2026S1 positive-controlled on titles 6, 19, 25, 26); verified 2026-09-18 against Act 805, Act 804, and Act 356 PDFs from arkleg.state.ar.us (amendment pages rendered to check strike/underline) and cross-checked against codified text (law.justia.com 2025 Ark. Code, codified-mirror tier, live curl)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementArk. Code §§ 28-68-102, 28-68-104, 28-68-105, 28-68-106, 28-68-107, 28-68-109, 28-68-112, 28-68-113, 28-68-119, 28-68-120, 28-68-201, 28-68-204 through 28-68-217, 28-68-301; Ark. Code § 18-12-501; Acts 2011 No. 805 (SB887, primary enactment); Acts 2021 No. 804 (HB1518, added "create" to § 28-68-201(a)(1) and § 28-68-301 form); Acts 2021 No. 356 (HB1455, amended §§ 18-12-501, 18-12-502); no amendments to Ch. 68 or § 18-12-501 after 2021 (re-checked 2026-09-18 via arkleg Code Sections Amended, /Acts/CodeSection?section=28|18 for every session 2013R through 2026F/2026S1 — zero Ch. 68 / § 18-12-501 rows; 2021R control returns §§ 28-68-201, 28-68-301, 18-12-501, 18-12-502; 2026F/2026S1 positive-controlled on titles 6, 19, 25, 26); verified 2026-09-18 against Act 805, Act 804, and Act 356 PDFs from arkleg.state.ar.us (amendment pages rendered to check strike/underline) and cross-checked against codified text (law.justia.com 2025 Ark. Code, codified-mirror tier, live curl)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.
In Arkansas, a pour-over will is signed before 2Ark. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Arkansas: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
In Arkansas, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateArk. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
Probate in Arkansas takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateArk. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915Ark. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateArk. Code § 28-48-108(d)(2) (6-tier statutory schedule on total market value of real + personal property; court may adjust if excessive or insufficient)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Estates under $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
Settling an estate in Arkansas: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysArk. Code § 28-49-110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code §§ 28-50-101, 28-50-103, 28-50-104, 28-50-105, 28-50-106, 28-1-112, 28-40-111Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Arkansas runs $2,890Estimate: 10 hours at $289, Clio's Arkansas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $4,335Estimate: 15 hours at $289, Clio's Arkansas Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $942Estimate: 3 hours at $314, Clio's Arkansas Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,884Estimate: 6 hours at $314, Clio's Arkansas Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
112 estate planning firms in Arkansas: probate, trust administration, and estate planning, by county and practice area.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
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112 firms
FirmWest Memphis, AR
West Memphis firm serving Crittenden County and northeast Arkansas. For families settling an estate, founder Denny Sumpter handles probate and wills-and-estates matters alongside real estate, personal injury, and family law. Sumpter served in the Arkansas House from 2003 to 2009.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateCivil LitigationFamily Lawand 2 more
Solo PracticeJonesboro, AR
Jonesboro firm serving Craighead County and the surrounding area. For families administering an estate, the firm guides named executors and personal representatives through probate, and handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and adult guardianships. Offers free consultations and payment plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more
FirmEureka Springs, AR
Eureka Springs firm serving Carroll County and the wider Ozark region, with a second office in Fayetteville. Its estate practice covers estate planning, probate, elder law, and trust administration; the firm offers house calls for clients who cannot travel to the office. Established in 2003.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 5 more
Newport firm serving Jackson County and the broader White River region, with offices also in Fayetteville and Memphis. Tim Watson Sr., in practice over 45 years, guides personal representatives through probate and the full estate settlement process — wills, trusts, and administration — for families across northern and central Arkansas. Now transitioning to Tim Watson Sr. Law Firm, LLC.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawProperty Law
Solo PracticeVan Buren, AR
Van Buren firm serving Crawford and Sebastian counties plus nearby eastern Oklahoma. Attorney Gentry C. Wahlmeier handles probate and estate administration alongside real property and business matters, assisting families with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Attorney Myles Kerchner practices alongside him.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateCriminal Law
FirmFayetteville, AR
Fayetteville firm focused entirely on estate planning and elder law for families across Northwest Arkansas, including Benton County. Owner Audra Bailey Wilcox handles probate, living trusts, and long-term-care Medicaid planning, along with farm and business succession. The practice narrowed exclusively to estate planning and elder law in 2018.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
FirmJonesboro, AR
Jonesboro firm serving Craighead County and Northeast Arkansas for decades. Waddell, Cole & Jones handles probate, estate and trust administration, and guardianships alongside its litigation and business practice, working with local families as well as larger institutional clients. Estate planning is a core practice area.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningBusiness LawCommercial Litigation
FirmRogers, AR
Rogers firm (founded 1995) serving Benton and Washington counties from offices in downtown Rogers and Fayetteville. The estate planning and elder law team handles probate, wills, trusts, guardianships, and Medicaid/asset-protection planning for families across Northwest Arkansas. Licensed in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 6 more
Solo PracticeWalnut Ridge, AR
Solo Walnut Ridge firm run by James Ethan Weeks, serving Lawrence, Randolph, and Clay counties. He guides families through probate and helps with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and Medicaid/elder-law planning, offering a local option in Lawrence County. Also handles bankruptcy and personal injury.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning
Solo PracticeParagould, AR
Paragould firm serving Greene County and surrounding Northeast Arkansas for over 25 years. Attorney Lorie L. Whitby handles probate and estate planning (wills, deeds, powers of attorney) within a general practice that also covers family law, adoptions, and guardianships. Offers a complimentary consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness Lawand 2 more
FirmLittle Rock, AR
Long-established Little Rock firm (since 1900) with a Rogers office, serving Pulaski and Benton counties. Its estate planning group prepares wills and trusts, handles family-owned-company and partnership succession, and plans for incapacity and special needs. John B. Peace is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
FirmWest Memphis, AR
West Memphis firm handling Crittenden County Circuit Court probate matters for families settling an estate. Guides executors and heirs through proving wills, carrying out estate distribution, and protecting heirs with valid claims regardless of estate size, alongside its family law and civil practice. Offers a free initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipCivil LitigationCriminal Defense
