Estate Planning for Pope County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Pope 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 Pope 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 Pope 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, Pope 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 Pope County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Pope 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 Pope County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Rachel Oertling, at 100 West Main Street, Russellville, AR 72801. Phone: 479-968-7499. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

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

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Pope County · Rachel Oertling

Address

100 West Main StreetRussellville, AR 72801

Fax

479-880-8463

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 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 Pope County

Morrilton firm serving Conway, Pope, and Faulkner counties in central Arkansas, with over a century of local practice. Handles estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate administration alongside property and family law. Jeannie Denniston and Ben Caruth carry the estate and probate work, with roughly two decades of administration experience.

Location
105 South Moose StreetMorrilton, AR 72110
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Criminal Defense
  • Personal Injury
  • Property Law

Russellville firm serving the Arkansas River Valley (Pope, Conway, Yell counties) since 1960, located one block south of the Pope County Courthouse. The Laws family handles estate planning and probate, helping families administer estates and move wills through the local court, alongside litigation and real estate matters.

Location
200 S. Arkansas AveRussellville, AR 72801
Established
1960
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Wrongful Death
  • Criminal Defense
  • Civil Litigation

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

Conway solo practitioner with 25+ years of experience serving Faulkner, Lonoke, and Pope County families. Drafts wills and trusts, handles estate planning and probate, and also takes Chapter 7 bankruptcy matters that often intersect with estate debts. Serves Conway, Cabot, Russellville, and nearby communities.

Location
1014 Markham St., Ste. 3Conway, AR 72032
Service Area
3 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration
  • Family Law
  • Bankruptcy

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 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 Pope 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Arkansas statutes and official state code. How we research.

Arkansas Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Arkansas.