Estate Planning for Sebastian County, Arkansas Property Owners

For most Sebastian 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 Sebastian 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 Sebastian 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, Sebastian 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 Sebastian County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Sebastian 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 Sebastian County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk, led by Susie Hassett, at 901 South B Street, Room 205, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Phone: 479-782-1046. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 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 Sebastian County comes to $20. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Sebastian County · Susie Hassett

Address

901 South B Street, Room 205Fort Smith, AR 72901

Fax

479-784-1580

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 Sebastian County

Alford Law Firm

Solo Practice

Fort Smith firm serving Sebastian County and the Arkansas River Valley, with attorney John D. Alford in practice for over 36 years. Handles wills, trusts, and probate administration alongside a business and real estate practice, helping families move assets through Sebastian County probate court. Licensed in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Location
6804 Rogers Ave BFort Smith, AR 72903
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration

Fort Smith firm dating to 1912, working the Sebastian County courts and across the Arkansas River Valley and into Oklahoma. For estate settlement, the firm handles probate, wills, trusts, estate administration, and creditor collections. A long-established western Arkansas practice now in its fourth generation, with a second office in Fayetteville.

Location
58 South 6th StreetFort Smith, AR 72901
Established
1912
Service Area
2 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Guardianship
Free consultation

Fort Smith firm (founded 1909) serving Sebastian County and western Arkansas, with a second office in Little Rock. For estate matters, Rex M. Terry handles trusts, estates, and probate alongside transactional and litigation work. A general practice whose estate work sits beside commercial and oil-and-gas litigation.

Location
5000 Rogers Avenue, Suite 500Fort Smith, AR 72903
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
  • Oil Gas Law

Fort Smith firm in the Belle Grove District serving Sebastian County and the River Valley since 1970. Handles estate planning and probate, drafting wills, trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney, and protecting heirs' interests through administration. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Location
401 North 7th StreetFort Smith, AR 72901
Established
1970
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Guardianship

Fort Smith elder-law and estate firm (second office in Conway) serving Sebastian and Faulkner county families. Attorney Jamison Bonds, a VA-accredited attorney, focuses on estate planning, Medicaid/long-term-care planning, trusts, and probate. Bonds scored #1 nationally on the 2018 Certified Elder Law Medicaid Planning exam essay.

Location
3223 Old Greenwood RoadFort Smith, AR 72903
Service Area
2 counties
  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Asset Protection
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Probate
  • Trust Administration

Fort Smith firm serving Sebastian County and the western Arkansas/eastern Oklahoma region, with a practice tracing to 1893. Handles wills, trust and probate administration, and estate and trust litigation for families settling estates. Christopher Brockett leads the estate, trust, and probate work.

Location
315 North 7th StreetFort Smith, AR 72901
Established
1893
Service Area
1 county
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate
Free consultation
See all 20 firms serving Sebastian 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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