What to Do When Someone Dies in Van Buren County, Arkansas

How probate works in Van Buren County: the Circuit Court - Probate Division record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Van Buren County Circuit Court - Probate Division

Van Buren County · 20th Judicial Circuit

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton, AR 72031

Self-represented filing

Allowed

E-filing

Required for attorneyseFlex e-filing is mandatory for attorneys, including new cases. Self-represented filers may register for eFlex only in a case where the court has mandated electronic filing.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit. Van Buren County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Faulkner and Searcy.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Arkansas intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Arkansas estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code §§ 28-50-101, 28-50-103, 28-50-104, 28-50-105, 28-50-106, 28-1-112, 28-40-111Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Van Buren County

What probate costs in Van Buren 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 273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton. The court is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Arkansas charges $165Ark. Code Ann. §§ 21-6-403(b)(1), 21-6-416(b)(2)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

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.

Arkansas allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.03% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay, capped by statute at 3.03%Ark. Code § 28-48-108(a) (just and reasonable; not to exceed 10% first $1K + 5% next $4K + 3% balance of personal property passing through PR's hands)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Arkansas requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

Probate in Arkansas typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division

Probate cases in Van Buren County, Arkansas are filed at the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The court sits in the 20th Judicial Circuit.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Arkansas has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableArk. Code § 28-40-119 (the circuit court admits the will and grants letters); § 28-1-106(b)(1) (clerk appointment only in the judge's absence); no informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Van Buren County Self-Filing Assessment.

Van Buren County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Self-represented filers file on paper unless the court has mandated e-filing in their case

eFlex accounts are open to attorneys and to a self-represented litigant in a case where the court has mandated electronic filing. A self-represented filer otherwise files with the circuit clerk's office in person or by mail. Statewide probate forms: arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Circuit Court - Probate Division: Death certificate (customary, not required by statute or by any official Arkansas probate form); Original will and any codicils (for testate estates) lodged with the court (filed with Form 3); Proof of the will's execution (proof of will / self-proving affidavit) at presentation of the petition; Probate Cover Sheet (statewide AOC form required by Administrative Order No. 8); Acceptance of Appointment as Personal Representative (Form 8), where no bond is required; Bond of Personal Representative (Form 6), only if the court requires a bond (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-48-201(a))Ark. Code Ann. § 28-40-102 (venue); § 28-40-107 (contents of the petition for probate & appointment); § 28-48-102 (letters & power to act); § 28-48-201, § 28-48-206 (bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Van Buren County

In Arkansas a death is registered locally, and in Van Buren County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Van Buren County Local Health Unit as well as by Arkansas Department of Health - Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Van Buren County · Van Buren County Local Health Unit

Hours

Monday, Wednesday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; Tuesday 9:30 AM-6:00 PM

Office

526 Quality Drive, Clinton, AR 72031

Fax

1-501-745-2435

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Van Buren County · Van Buren County Coroner

Hours

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Mail and offices

Fax

1-501-745-3385

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Van Buren County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Circuit Clerk.

Deeds and other real property documents for Van Buren County are recorded with the Circuit Clerk at 273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton, AR 72031. Phone: 1-501-745-4140. 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 Office Record

Circuit Clerk

Van Buren County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton, AR 72031

Fax

1-501-745-7400

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Van Buren County

Arkansas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Van Buren County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in Arkansas are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Van Buren County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Circuit Court - Probate Division and responsiveness are.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court - Probate Division, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

Solo PracticeMarshall, AR

The Estate Planning & Elder Law Practice of Mitch Cash

Serves 7 counties

Estate planning and elder law practice in Marshall serving north central Arkansas, with additional offices in Harrison and Calico Rock. Mitch Cash, a former Searcy County District Court Judge, handles wills, trusts, probate, and Medicaid/life care planning for families. Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and ElderCounsel.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 3 more

Office
608 Hwy 65 NorthMarshall, AR 72650

Solo PracticeYellville, AR

John D. Milum, P.A.

Serves 6 counties

General-practice firm with offices in Yellville, Salem, and Harrison, serving Boone, Marion, Baxter, Fulton, Izard, and Sharp County families in north central Arkansas. Handles estate planning, probate, powers of attorney, guardianships, elder law, and deeds, plus the real estate and property work that surfaces when settling an estate.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipCivil Litigation

Office
121 Hwy 62 EastYellville, AR 72687

FirmSherwood, AR

McClelland Law Firm, P.A.

Serves 3 counties

Sherwood estate and elder law firm with offices also in Searcy, Benton, and Little Rock, serving families across central Arkansas probate courts. Steven McClelland and his team handle probate administration, trust administration, guardianships, and Medicaid planning, with a focus on retaining public benefits for elderly or incapacitated clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
135 Shadow Oaks DriveSherwood, AR 72120

FirmLittle Rock, AR

Niblock & Associates

Since 1988 · Serves 3 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
5701 South University AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72209
Free consultation

FirmLittle Rock, AR

Pinnacle Legacy Law

Serves 3 counties

Central Arkansas estate firm with offices in Little Rock, Searcy, and Conway, covering Pulaski, White, and Faulkner county families. Handles living trusts, wills, probate, trust administration, and Medicaid planning. Free consultations offered.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawMedicaid Planning

Office
900 S Shackleford Rd, Suite 708Little Rock, AR 72211
Free consultation

FirmLittle Rock, AR

Campbell, Grooms & Spaulding, PLLC

Since 2012 · Serves the whole state

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness Lawand 3 more

Office
8114 Cantrell Road, Suite 100Little Rock, AR 72227
See all 17 firms serving Van Buren 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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Legal Sources

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

Tools for Settling an Estate in Arkansas

Free tools for settling an estate in Arkansas: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Arkansas.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Arkansas: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysArk. Code § 28-49-110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code §§ 28-50-101, 28-50-103, 28-50-104, 28-50-105, 28-50-106, 28-1-112, 28-40-111Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Arkansas happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeArk. Code Ann. § 28-73-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysArk. Code §§ 28-73-813, 28-73-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Arkansas has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableArk. Code § 28-40-119 (the circuit court admits the will and grants letters); § 28-1-106(b)(1) (clerk appointment only in the judge's absence); no informal probate trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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