How Much Does Probate Cost in Phillips County, Arkansas?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Phillips County can expect.
What probate costs in Phillips 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 620 Cherry Street, Helena.
Local procedures at this court: Self-represented litigants may file by paper if unable to use eFlex. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Arkansas charges $165Ark. Code Ann. § 21-6-403(b)(1)Verified May 20, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Circuit Court - Probate Division (https://efile.arcourts.gov/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
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.
Executor compensation runs 2%Ark. Code § 28-48-108(a)Verified May 20, 2026 to 3%Ark. Code § 28-48-108(a)Verified May 20, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Arkansas requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Arkansas typically runs 9 monthsArk. Code §§ 28-48-108(a)Verified May 20, 2026 to 12 monthsArk. Code §§ 28-48-108(a)Verified May 20, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101Verified May 20, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Ark. Code § 28-48-108(a)
- Ark. Code § 28-50-101
- Ark. Code §§ 28-48-108(a)
- Ark. Code Ann. § 21-6-403(b)(1)
Data sourced from Arkansas statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Phillips County, that means filing fees ($165 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $165 in Phillips County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Yes. Arkansas sets probate attorney fees by statute, so Phillips County attorneys charge the same schedule as the rest of the state. Predictable, but often higher than hourly billing would produce for simple estates.
Arkansas allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Arkansas estates under $100,000 can use a small estate affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Arkansas self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Phillips County probate.
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Phillips County
620 Cherry Street
Helena, AR 72342
Phone:
870-338-5515Fax:
870-338-5513
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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