How Do I Settle an Estate in Arkansas?
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.
Settling an estate in Arkansas means gathering the assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. Assets in a living trust settle privately without the court. An estate that needs probate takes 9 months to 12 months on average, and the creditor claim period of 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101 (6 months from first publication); § 28-50-101(h) (2 years for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors); § 28-50-101(d) (5-year bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source is the floor. In a probate case the inventory of estate assets is due within 60 daysArk. Code § 28-49-110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment, and Arkansas requires a formal appraisal.
Arkansas allows estates valued at $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source 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.
The creditor claim period of 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 runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. The executor must publish notice in a local newspaper for 2 consecutive weeks and send direct notice to known creditors. Every claim is barred 60 months after death regardless of notice. Final distribution waits until the period has run.
Arkansas does not require a bond of the personal representative by defaultArk. Code § 28-48-201 (discretionary; rewritten by Act 326 of 2023, HB1448; former § 28-48-203 repealed), § 28-48-201(b)(1) (bond on a claimant's demand); § 28-48-206 (increase, decrease or dispense)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. A court can still order one. The bond protects beneficiaries and creditors against mismanagement by the personal representative. The Arkansas executor fee calculator covers what the role itself can charge.
In Arkansas, a simple estate typically settles in 6 months to 9 months, and an average estate in 9 months to 12 months. An estate with a dispute, a tax issue or an unusual asset runs longer.
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Death of a Parent
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Loss of a Spouse
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Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
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Named as Trustee
Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Arkansas
Free forms for settling an estate in Arkansas: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for Arkansas.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Notice to Creditors
In Arkansas, the notice to creditors is published for 2Ark. 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 weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101 (6 months from first publication); § 28-50-101(h) (2 years for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors); § 28-50-101(d) (5-year bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Arkansas, a person named as personal representative may refuse the appointmentArk. Code Ann. § 28-40-107(a)(3)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Arkansas, the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by DistributeeArk. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000 or less, 45 days after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
In Arkansas, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysArk. Code § 28-49-110Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Arkansas, the personal representative is discharged by court orderArk. Code §§ 28-53-118, 28-53-104(b)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Arkansas, certified death certificates come from the Arkansas Department of HealthArkansas Department of Health - Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $10, additional copies $8 each.
Do I Need Probate?
In Arkansas, estates valued at $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee, 45 days after death, a court filing short of full probate.
What Happens to Jointly Owned Property When an Owner Dies?
When a joint owner dies in Arkansas: Arkansas law names no affidavit or certificate to record when a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety dies. The deceased owner's interest passes to the survivor under the deed that created the survivorship tenancyArk. Code Title 18, ch. 12, subchs. 1, 2 and 6; §§ 14-15-401 to 14-15-403; Title 28, chs. 8, 10 and 15; Title 20, chs. 17 and 18Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Arkansas requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Ark. Code Ann. § 26-51-201(a)(4); Act 1, 1st Ex. Sess. 2026 (HB1001)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
After a death in Arkansas, the estate either qualifies for the simplified procedure for estates under $100,000Ark. Code § 28-41-101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or goes through probate, where creditors have 6 monthsArk. Code § 28-50-101 (6 months from first publication); § 28-50-101(h) (2 years for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors); § 28-50-101(d) (5-year bar from death)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims after notice.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Arkansas levies no estate or inheritance taxArk. Code Ann. §§ 26-59-103, 26-59-106(c)(2)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Arkansas imposes no inheritance or estate taxArk. Code Ann. §§ 26-59-103, 26-59-106(c)(2)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate.
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Arkansas Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Arkansas probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.