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Estate administration in Arkansas typically runs 6–9 months for simple estates and 12–24 months for complex ones. The minimum timeline is largely set by the creditor claim period (6 months), during which the executor can't safely distribute assets. Living trusts bypass this entirely because they don't go through probate. The Arkansas estate settlement checklist walks through the steps.
Arkansas allows executors to receive "reasonable compensation," typically 2%–3% of the estateArk. Code § 28-48-108(a) (just and reasonable; not to exceed 10% first $1K + 5% next $4K + 3% balance of personal property passing through PR's hands)Verified May 31, 2026. Executors can also waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. When the executor is a family member who is also a beneficiary, waiving the fee is common because beneficiary distributions aren't taxed as income while executor fees are. See the Arkansas executor fee calculator.
Estate planning attorneys in Arkansas average $314 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $942–$1,884 for a simple individual will and $2,890–$4,335 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
Arkansas has a generous small-estate threshold of $100,000. Estates under that line can use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee procedure, which is a form rather than a court case — most families can handle it without an attorney. For estates above the threshold, formal probate generally benefits from counsel because of the procedural overhead, even when nothing is contested. The Arkansas probate calculator estimates total costs based on estate value.
In Arkansas, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 4,003 estate law firms across 51 states.
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.
19 firms
Fort Smith firm serving Sebastian County and the Arkansas River Valley, with attorney John D. Alford in practice for over 36 years. Handles wills, trusts, and probate administration alongside a business and real estate practice, helping families move assets through Sebastian County probate court. Licensed in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Location
6804 Rogers Ave BFort Smith, AR 72903
Phone
(479) 494-5682
Service Area
1 county
Fayetteville firm with a second Fort Smith office, serving Washington and Sebastian counties across northwest Arkansas. Attorney Stanley Bond concentrates on probate and estate administration, including small-estate administration under $100,000, trust administration, executor services, and powers of attorney. Offers free one-hour consultations by phone, video, or in office.
Location
525 S School Ave, Ste 100Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone
(479) 777-4773
Service Area
2 counties
Fort Smith firm dating to 1912, working the Sebastian County courts and across the Arkansas River Valley and into Oklahoma. For estate settlement, the firm handles probate, wills, trusts, estate administration, and creditor collections. A long-established western Arkansas practice now in its fourth generation, with a second office in Fayetteville.
Location
58 South 6th StreetFort Smith, AR 72901
Phone
(479) 782-0361
Established
1912
Service Area
2 counties
Little Rock firm (the largest in Arkansas, with a Rogers office) serving Pulaski County and statewide clients. Its Trust & Estate group handles estate and trust administration, fiduciary representation, trust and estate controversies, and gift/estate tax returns. A choice for larger or contested estates needing experienced fiduciary counsel.
Location
400 West Capitol Ave, Suite 2000Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone
(501) 376-2011
Service Area
1 county
Fort Smith firm (founded 1909) serving Sebastian County and western Arkansas. For estate matters, Rex M. Terry handles trusts, estates, and probate alongside transactional and litigation work. Terry is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a long-running Super Lawyers selection; the firm also keeps a Little Rock office.
Location
5000 Rogers Avenue, Suite 500Fort Smith, AR 72903
Phone
(479) 452-2200
Service Area
1 county
Little Rock firm (with Conway and Stuttgart offices) serving Pulaski, Faulkner, and Arkansas counties. Tax-forward estate practice handling wills, trusts, probate administration, complex trust administration and accounting, guardianships/conservatorships, and asset protection. Partner Lyle D. Foster works in tax, estate planning, and probate administration.
Location
901 North University AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72207
Phone
(501) 376-8222
Service Area
3 counties
Fort Smith firm in the Belle Grove District serving Sebastian County and the River Valley since 1970. Handles estate planning and probate, drafting wills, trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney, and protecting heirs' interests through administration. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Location
401 North 7th StreetFort Smith, AR 72901
Phone
(479) 782-7203
Established
1970
Service Area
1 county
Hot Springs firm serving Garland County families through the local probate court. Ron Kelsay handles wills, trusts, and probate administration, helping clients manage asset distribution and settle estates, alongside real estate and family law matters. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
227 Woodbine StHot Springs, AR 71901
Phone
(501) 725-0292
Service Area
1 county
Estate planning and elder law firm with offices in Magnolia and Little Rock, serving Columbia, Union, and Lafayette County families. Ledly Jennings handles estate planning, probate, and estate/trust administration, including work for farming and family-business clients settling estates and preserving assets.
Location
535 E Main StMagnolia, AR 71753
Phone
(501) 501-9455
Service Area
4 counties
Little Rock business firm representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in probate courts across Arkansas. Its attorneys handle probate and estate litigation, including will contests, will and trust interpretation, and claims against executors, trustees, and guardians, alongside estate planning and tax matters.
Location
11300 Cantrell Road, Suite 201Little Rock, AR 72212
Phone
(501) 376-6565
Service Area
1 county