Estate Planning & Probate in St. Francis County, Arkansas
St. Francis County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in St. Francis County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a St. Francis County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in St. Francis County→The Probate Process in St. Francis County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In St. Francis County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 313 South Izard Street, Forrest City. The court sits in the 1st Judicial Circuit. St. Francis County shares the 1st Judicial Circuit with Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips and Woodruff.
Full St. Francis Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court - Probate Division
St. Francis County · 1st Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Circuit Clerk
St. Francis County · Alan T. Smith
$15 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $20; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court - Probate Division
Arkansas uses the eFlex electronic filing system. Self-represented (pro se) litigants who cannot use eFlex may file documents in person at the circuit clerk's office, by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS), or via filing depository. Official probate forms available at arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms.
Arkansas Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in St. Francis County.
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