Estate Planning for Clay County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Clay 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 Clay County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Angela Self, at 151 South 2nd Street, Piggott, AR 72454. Phone: 870-598-2524. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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 Clay County. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Clay County · Angela Self

Address

151 South 2nd StreetPiggott, AR 72454

Fax

870-598-1107

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 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 Clay County

Jonesboro firm practicing exclusively in estate planning, elder law, and probate for families across Craighead and surrounding Northeast Arkansas counties. Attorney Chad R. Oldham handles trust and estate administration, wills and trusts, special-needs planning, and estate and trust taxation — a single-area practice rather than a general one.

Location
603 Southwest Drive, Suite CJonesboro, AR 72401
Service Area
5 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Estate Tax Planning
  • Charitable Planning
  • Business Succession
  • Special Needs Planning

Jonesboro firm serving Craighead County and Northeast Arkansas, with a second office in Walnut Ridge for Lawrence and Randolph county families. Aaron Heller leads the estate side, handling wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, and probate. Heller served two terms as chairman of the Elder Law Section of the Arkansas Bar Association. Free initial case evaluation.

Location
100 E Matthews AvenueJonesboro, AR 72401
Service Area
6 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Guardianship
  • Elder Law
  • Special Needs Planning
Free consultation

Jonesboro firm serving Craighead County and northeast Arkansas. For families administering an estate, the firm guides executors and administrators through Craighead County probate from appointment through the claims process to final distribution, and prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Offers a free consultation.

Location
111 East Huntington Ave., 2nd FloorJonesboro, AR 72401
Service Area
5 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Banking Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Mediation
Free consultation

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.

Location
509 West Court StreetParagould, AR 72450
Established
1997
Service Area
5 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Guardianship
  • Family Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Business Law
Free consultation

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.

Location
112 E. Main StreetWalnut Ridge, AR 72476
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Elder Law
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Asset Protection

Little Rock firm on Cantrell Road handling probate and estate administration in Pulaski County and courts statewide. Walks executors through will validation, appointment of personal representatives, asset inventory and valuation, creditor claims, and final distribution under Arkansas law.

Location
8114 Cantrell Road, Suite 100Little Rock, AR 72227
Established
2012
Service Area
Statewide
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Business Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Real Estate
  • Construction Law
See all 17 firms serving Clay 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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