Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Arkansas

After a death in Arkansas, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000 or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 months to file claims after notice.

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36 tools for Arkansas

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law).

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Arkansas pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.03% of the estate.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Arkansas, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representation, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hours to inherit.

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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

In Arkansas, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent) unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Arkansas levies no estate or inheritance tax; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,000.

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How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Arkansas, certified death certificates come from the Arkansas Department of Health - Vital Records; the first copy costs $10, additional copies $8 each.

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Do I Need Probate?

In Arkansas, estates valued at $100,000 or less use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee, 45 days after death, a court filing short of full probate.

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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Arkansas runs $2,890 to $4,335 and a simple will $942 to $1,884, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Arkansas runs $2,890 to $4,335 for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Does a Will Cost?

An attorney-prepared will in Arkansas runs $942 to $1,884, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,915.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In Arkansas, four years at a public university cost about $77,880 and the cost of living is 13% below the U.S. average; no state estate or inheritance tax applies.

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What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Arkansas imposes no inheritance or estate tax; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.

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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Inherited assets in Arkansas take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death, and the gain on a later sale faces state tax on the 50% of long-term gain left after a 50% exclusion.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

Arkansas does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Arkansas costs an estimated $27,915 and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estate. Estates under $100,000 can use a small-estate procedure instead.

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How Does SimplyTrust Compare to LegalZoom, Trust & Will, and Other Services?

Compare what it costs to make a trust official across SimplyTrust, LegalZoom, Trust & Will, Rocket Lawyer, and Quicken WillMaker.

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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?

In Arkansas, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

Arkansas allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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Arkansas allows estates valued at $100,000 or less to use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee, which avoids full probate administration. In Arkansas the affidavit is filed with the probate clerk of the circuit court (Probate Division), and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue. The waiting period is 45 days after death.

Probate costs in Arkansas typically include attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estate, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $27,915, roughly 6% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the Arkansas executor fee calculator.

Arkansas intestacy law decides. Arkansas follows separate property rules: the surviving spouse's share depends on whether children survive and whose children they are. The estate passes to the closest surviving relatives, in most cases the spouse and children first, then in order: Parents; Brothers and sisters; Grandparents, uncles, and aunts; Great-grandparents, great-uncles, and great-aunts; Surviving spouse of a marriage under three years; Heirs of the last deceased spouse; The county of residence.

No. Arkansas imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax applies, on an estate above $15,000,000, an exemption the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106) set permanently from 2026 and indexes for inflation.

A will in Arkansas costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in Arkansas charges around $314 an hour for wills and estates work, which puts a simple will at $942 to $1,884. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds about $27,915 on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.