How probate works in Crawford County: the Circuit Court - Probate Division record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Crawford County · 21st Judicial Circuit
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About the court
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Crawford County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 317 Main Street, Van Buren. The court sits in the 21st Judicial Circuit.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Arkansas intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Arkansas estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. 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 Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What probate costs in Crawford County, Arkansas comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 317 Main Street, Van Buren. The court is part of the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Arkansas charges $165Ark. Code Ann. §§ 21-6-403(b)(1), 21-6-416(b)(2)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Arkansas sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.
Arkansas allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.03% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay, capped by statute at 3.03%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. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Arkansas requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
Probate in Arkansas typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Crawford County, Arkansas are filed at the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The court sits in the 21st Judicial Circuit.
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) (clerk appointment only in the judge's absence); no informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Crawford County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Self-represented filers file on paper unless the court has mandated e-filing in their case
eFlex accounts are open to attorneys and to a self-represented litigant in a case where the court has mandated electronic filing. A self-represented filer otherwise files with the circuit clerk's office in person or by mail. Statewide probate forms: arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms.
SourceA cover sheet goes with every case
The circuit clerk's filing-fee schedule requires a cover sheet with every case, when it is opened and when it is closed. The probate cover sheet is on the Arkansas Judiciary court forms page.
SourceFiled with the opening petition at the Circuit Court - Probate Division: Death certificate (customary, not required by statute or by any official Arkansas probate form); Original will and any codicils (for testate estates) lodged with the court (filed with Form 3); Proof of the will's execution (proof of will / self-proving affidavit) at presentation of the petition; Probate Cover Sheet (statewide AOC form required by Administrative Order No. 8); Acceptance of Appointment as Personal Representative (Form 8), where no bond is required; Bond of Personal Representative (Form 6), only if the court requires a bond (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-48-201(a))Ark. Code Ann. § 28-40-102 (venue); § 28-40-107 (contents of the petition for probate & appointment); § 28-48-102 (letters & power to act); § 28-48-201, § 28-48-206 (bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
In Arkansas a death is registered locally, and in Crawford County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Crawford County Local Health Unit as well as by Arkansas Department of Health - Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Crawford County · Crawford County Local Health Unit
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| First certified copy | $10 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $8 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Crawford County · Crawford County Coroner
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Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Circuit Clerk.
Deeds and other real property documents for Crawford County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk at 317 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72956. Phone: 1-479-474-1821. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (open through lunch).
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 608, Van Buren, AR 72956.
The Circuit Clerk charges $15 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page.
Crawford County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, Indecomm, ePN and Electronic Document Logistics.
Recording Office Record
Crawford County
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| Base fee (first page) | $15 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
Ark. Code Ann. 21-6-306
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Arkansas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Crawford County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Arkansas are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Crawford County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Circuit Court - Probate Division and responsiveness are.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court - Probate Division, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Solo PracticeVan Buren, AR
Van Buren firm (with a Springdale office) serving Crawford County families on estate and probate matters alongside its bankruptcy and criminal work. Handles wills, powers of attorney, living trusts, and what happens when someone dies without a will. Phone line answered 24/7.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateCriminal Defense
Solo PracticeVan Buren, AR
Van Buren firm serving Crawford and Sebastian counties plus nearby eastern Oklahoma. Attorney Gentry C. Wahlmeier handles probate and estate administration alongside real property and business matters, assisting families with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Attorney Myles Kerchner practices alongside him.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateCriminal Law
Solo PracticeFayetteville, AR
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmLittle Rock, AR
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Lawand 3 more
Solo PracticeBenton, AR
Benton firm serving Saline County and the surrounding central Arkansas counties, handling probate in the local circuit courts. For estate settlement, the firm files probate cases, settles estates, and assists with trusts and wills. Don Spears has practiced since 1975, bringing over four decades of experience to probate matters.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate
FirmBryant, AR
Bryant estate planning and elder law firm serving Saline, Pulaski, and Garland counties, with additional offices in Hot Springs Village, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and deeds, and handles long-term care and Medicaid planning, including emergency crisis cases. Founder Justin S. Elrod is one of only four Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Arkansas.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
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.
Data sourced from Arkansas statutes and official state code. How we research.
Free tools for settling an estate in Arkansas: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Arkansas.
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 Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Settling a trust in Arkansas happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeArk. Code Ann. § 28-73-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysArk. Code §§ 28-73-813, 28-73-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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) (clerk appointment only in the judge's absence); no informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Browse vetted Arkansas attorneys handling probate matters.
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Enter the estate value to see Arkansas attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
Enter the estate value to see whether Arkansas lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
