Hiring a Probate Attorney in Arkansas

Probate in Arkansas runs about $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 on a $500,000 estate: 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, plus the court filing fee, executor compensation, publication and any surety bond. The Arkansas probate calculator estimates the cost by estate value.

Arkansas runs supervised probate as the defaultArk. Code § 28-52-103(a) (PR must file verified accounts with the court, annually and at final settlement) — no independent administration track in Title 28Verified Sep 8, 2026View source: the court is involved at every step, with hearings for the executor's appointment, the inventory, the accountings and the final distribution. That procedural overhead drives both the cost and the timeline, and it is why a living trust is popular here: it bypasses the court entirely.

Estate planning attorneys in Arkansas average $314Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source an hour for wills and estates work. A flat-fee package runs $942Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $1,884Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source for a simple individual will and $2,890Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $4,335Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source for a basic revocable trust. An online service prices the same documents in the tens to low hundreds of dollars; the Arkansas will cost calculator sets the two side by side.

In Arkansas, estates valued at $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by DistributeeArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 45 daysArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate. That route is a form rather than a court case, and most families handle it without an attorney. Above the line, formal probate generally benefits from counsel for the procedural work, even when nothing is contested. The Arkansas probate calculator estimates the cost by estate value.

In Arkansas, the situations where counsel is typically worth the cost are: a blended family with children from a prior relationship; a business, rental property or significant investment assets; a dependent with special needs, who needs a special-needs trust to keep benefits; substantial property in more than one state. Where none of these apply, an online or self-help document is often enough.

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Arkansas

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.

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Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Last Will and Testament

In Arkansas, a will is signed before 2Ark. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Sep 15, 2026View source witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavitArk. Code Ann. § 28-25-103Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Arkansas

Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Arkansas: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

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.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

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 Sep 15, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Arkansas pays executors reasonable compensationArk. 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 Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value), capped by Ark. 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 Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.03%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value), capped by Ark. 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 Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Arkansas, estates valued at $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by DistributeeArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 45 daysArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Arkansas, creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101 (6 months from first publication of notice to creditors; § 28-50-101(h): 2 years from first publication for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors even without actual notice; § 28-50-101(d): 5-year absolute bar from death if no letters issued and no notice published)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.

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Can I Self-File Probate?

Arkansas has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableArk. Code § 28-40-119 (the circuit court admits the will and grants letters); § 28-1-106(b)(1) (probate clerk may appoint a PR only in the absence of the judge or referee, subject to court review) — no informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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