Estate Planning for Craighead County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Craighead 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 Craighead 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 Craighead 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Craighead County property passes through the Circuit Court - Probate Division — even simple Arkansas probates run 6+ months and start with $165 in 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 Craighead County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Craighead 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 Craighead County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by David Vaughn, at 511 South Main Street, Suite 200, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Phone: 870-933-4530. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

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

Craighead County accepts electronic recording through CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Indecomm Global Services, Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Craighead County · David Vaughn

Address

511 South Main Street, Suite 200Jonesboro, AR 72401

Fax

870-933-4514

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), Indecomm Global Services, SimplifileE-recording info →
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 Craighead 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 and surrounding Northeast Arkansas counties, led by Carrie Russom Quraishi, who pairs legal and wealth-management work. Handles probate, trust administration, estate and trust taxation, elder law, and special-needs planning. Integrates estate work with ongoing tax and financial planning under one roof.

Location
2915 Browns LnJonesboro, AR 72401
Service Area
5 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Tax Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Charitable Planning
  • Business Succession
  • Asset Protection
  • 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

Jonesboro firm serving Craighead County in wills, trusts, and estates, with a probate, business, and tax-law practice. Attorney G. S. Brant Perkins co-authored Arkansas Probate and Estate Administration (West 2010) and has edited the Arkansas Probate and Trust Law Review since 2009, bringing deep local probate experience to estate settlement.

Location
1115 S. Main StreetJonesboro, AR 72403
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Tax Planning
See all 20 firms serving Craighead 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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