Estate Planning for Jefferson County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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, Jefferson 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 Jefferson County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Jefferson 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 Jefferson County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Flora Cook-Bishop, at 101 West Barraque Street, Suite 104, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Phone: 870-541-5306. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 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 Jefferson County comes to $20. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Jefferson County · Flora Cook-Bishop

Address

101 West Barraque Street, Suite 104Pine Bluff, AR 71601

Fax

870-541-5324

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 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 Jefferson County

One of Arkansas's oldest firms (1888), anchored in Pine Bluff and the Jefferson County courts. Attorney Ted N. Drake leads the estate, probate and tax practice, handling estate administration, wills and trusts, estate tax planning, and business succession for area families. Twelve-lawyer firm with peer-recognized estate planning and probate attorneys.

Location
521 South Walnut StreetPine Bluff, AR 71601
Established
1888
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Tax Planning
  • Agriculture
  • Banking Law

Little Rock firm (second office in Pine Bluff) serving Pulaski and Jefferson county families. Attorney Slocum Pickell, an attorney since 1992, drafts wills and trusts and guides families through probate and estate administration, alongside a family-law and civil-litigation practice.

Location
415 North McKinley, Suite 1150Little Rock, AR 72205
Service Area
2 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Civil 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 firm (with Conway and Stuttgart offices) serving Pulaski, Faulkner, and Arkansas counties. Tax-forward estate practice handling wills, trusts, probate administration, complex trust administration and accounting, guardianships/conservatorships, and asset protection. Partner Lyle D. Foster works in tax, estate planning, and probate administration.

Location
901 North University AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72207
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Tax Planning
  • Agricultural Law
  • Guardianship

Little Rock firm founded in 1988 with offices in Searcy and Stuttgart, serving Pulaski, White, and Arkansas County families. Handles probate of estates with and without a will, distributing property under the will or Arkansas intestacy law. Over 17,500 cases handled and 125+ years of combined experience; offers a free consultation.

Location
5701 South University AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72209
Established
1988
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
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 Jefferson 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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