Estate Planning for Carroll County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Carroll County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Carroll County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a Carroll County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Circuit Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court - Probate Division decides who receives the property: a simple Arkansas probate takes 6+ months and opens with $165 in court filing fees. Arkansas also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Carroll County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Carroll County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Circuit Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Arkansas beneficiary deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentArk. Code Ann. 18-12-608Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathArk. Code Ann. 18-12-608Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Carroll County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Sara Huffman, at 210 West Church Avenue, Berryville, AR 72616. Phone: 870-423-2422. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 71, Berryville, AR 72616.

The Circuit Clerk charges $15 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. A 2-page beneficiary deed costs $20 to record in Carroll County. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Carroll County · Sara Huffman

Address

210 West Church AvenueBerryville, AR 72616Mailing: P.O. Box 71, Berryville, AR 72616

Fax

870-423-4796

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$15
Each additional page$5
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Ark. Code Ann. 21-6-306

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Carroll County

Burrus Elder Law

Solo Practice

Harrison elder-law firm serving Boone, Marion, Newton, Searcy, and Carroll counties in the White River region. Attorney James Burrus handles probate, estate administration, trust administration, guardianship, and Medicaid estate planning for families. Consultations booked through an online scheduler.

Location
324 W. Ridge Ave.Harrison, AR 72601
Service Area
5 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Guardianship
  • Elder Law
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Asset Protection
Free consultation

Fayetteville Square firm serving Washington, Benton, Carroll and Madison County families. Handles estate and probate administration plus estate and trust litigation, including contested matters, alongside its tax and real estate work. Every partner is AV-Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Location
75 N. East Avenue, Suite 402Fayetteville, AR 72701
Service Area
4 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Tax Planning
  • Business Law
  • Civil Litigation

Bentonville estate planning and elder law practice led by Todd Whatley, CELA, serving Northwest Arkansas families (Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison). Focuses on estate plans built to avoid probate, long-term-care and Medicaid/VA benefits planning, and asset protection. Rebranded from Whatley's elder-law practice in 2024; he is a past president of the National Elder Law Foundation.

Location
2701 SE J Street, Suite 109Bentonville, AR 72712
Service Area
4 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Business Succession
Free consultation

Eureka Springs solo attorney serving Carroll County and the surrounding northwest Arkansas region. Kristi Kendrick handles estate planning and probate alongside business, real estate, and general civil matters, helping families administer estates in the local court. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, with over 40 years of legal experience.

Location
121 E Van Buren, Suite 4Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Civil Litigation

Fayetteville firm working Washington, Benton, Madison, and Carroll counties, with probate handled in the local Northwest Arkansas circuit courts. For estate settlement, the firm administers decedents' estates and handles probate, trust administration, and guardianships, alongside estate and tax planning. Brenda Vassaur Taylor has practiced in the area since 1985 with a tax-focused estate practice.

Location
2949 N. Point Circle, Suite #2Fayetteville, AR 72704
Service Area
4 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Tax Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Asset Protection
  • Business Succession
  • Agricultural Law
Free consultation

RD Allen Law, PLLC

Solo Practice

Berryville firm serving Carroll, Boone, and Newton counties through the local circuit court, with an attorney licensed in Arkansas and Missouri for cross-border estates. For families settling an estate, attorney R. Dawn Allen handles probate, wills, trusts, and long-term-care matters.

Location
105 South Springfield StreetBerryville, AR 72616
Established
2016
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Long Term Care
  • Tax Law
See all 25 firms serving Carroll County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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