Estate Planning for Garland County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland 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 Garland County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Garland 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 Garland County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Kristie Womble-Hughes, at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 207, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Phone: 501-622-3630. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 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 Garland County. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Garland County · Kristie Womble-Hughes

Address

501 Ouachita Avenue, Room 207Hot Springs, AR 71901

Fax

501-609-9043

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 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 Garland County

Hot Springs firm focused almost entirely on estate planning and probate for families in Garland County and Hot Springs Village. Attorneys Karen Baim Reagler, Ashley Naramore, and Wade Naramore handle wills, trusts, probate, guardianship, special-needs planning, and durable powers of attorney. A second office sits in Hot Springs Village.

Location
307 Carpenter Dam Road, Suite BHot Springs, AR 71901
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Guardianship
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Real Estate

Hot Springs firm serving Garland County families through the local probate court. Ron Kelsay handles wills, trusts, and probate administration, helping clients manage asset distribution and settle estates, alongside real estate and family law matters. Offers a free initial consultation.

Location
227 Woodbine StHot Springs, AR 71901
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Real Estate
Free consultation

Hot Springs firm serving Garland County through the local probate court, practicing probate since its 1875 founding (the state's second-oldest firm). For families settling an estate, the firm handles probate administration, wills and trusts, and probate litigation, drawing on four attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience.

Location
400 Ouachita AvenueHot Springs, AR 71901
Established
1875
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Probate Litigation

Conway estate planning and elder law firm serving Faulkner and Central Arkansas counties from offices in Conway, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and North Little Rock. Handles probate, guardianships, Medicaid and long-term care planning, and trust administration. Founded 2014 by Chris Rippy; Ashley Stepps joined in 2019.

Location
1237 Front Street, Front Street Plaza BuildingConway, AR 72032
Established
2014
Service Area
4 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Probate
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Veterans Benefits

Little Rock litigation and transactional firm (offices also in Russellville) handling Pulaski County probate matters. Opens and administers decedents' estates, represents executors, personal representatives, and beneficiaries, and litigates undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, and elder financial exploitation claims. Roots trace to a firm founded in 1957.

Location
211 Spring StreetLittle Rock, AR 72201
Established
1957
Service Area
6 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Probate Litigation
  • Trust Administration
  • Estate Tax Planning
  • Business Succession
Free consultation

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 Garland 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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