Tools for Planning Your Estate in Arkansas

In Arkansas, a will is signed before 2 witnesses, and the witnesses sign an affidavit at probate instead of a self-proving affidavit.

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21 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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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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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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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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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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Do I Need a Revocable Trust?

Probate in Arkansas takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate and charges attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estate; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.

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Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Arkansas authorizes transfer on death deeds: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.

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Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

Arkansas allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title, filed through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle using Form 108.

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How Do I Open a Trust Account at My Bank?

Compare trust-account requirements bank by bank: how a revocable trust account is opened or retitled, and what proves the trust.

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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.

A revocable living trust in Arkansas costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription. An attorney in Arkansas charges around $289 an hour for trust work, which puts an attorney-prepared trust at $2,890 to $4,335 for an individual plan.

Yes. Arkansas allows beneficiary deeds. The deed names a beneficiary for real property, is recorded during the owner's life, and passes the property at death without probate.

In Arkansas, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.

In Arkansas, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee. The trust also distributes assets faster than the 6 months to 9 months probate timeline a simple estate takes.