Arkansas probate court, county by county
Probate in Arkansas runs through circuit court, filed with the circuit clerk in the county where your loved one lived. Here's where that is for the counties we work, and what to have in hand before you go.
Legal disclaimer
This information is general educational content only and is not legal advice.
Probate laws vary by county and individual circumstances. The process outlined above is a general overview of how probate typically works in Arkansas, Arkansas — but every estate is different. Property ownership, debts, taxes, family situations, and court procedures can all affect your specific timeline and requirements.
You should always consult with a licensed Arkansas probate attorney before making decisions about selling an inherited property or managing an estate. An attorney can review your specific situation, advise you on your rights and obligations, and ensure all paperwork is filed correctly with Arkansas Probate Court.
Titan Property Investors is a real estate investment company, not a law firm. We buy houses, but we cannot provide legal advice. We work alongside your attorney — we don't replace them.
If you need a probate attorney referral, contact the Arkansas Bar Association or ask your current attorney for recommendations.
Counties we work, and the courthouse for each
Filing fees, hearing calendars, and local forms differ between counties and change over time, so call the circuit clerk's office for current specifics rather than relying on any website — including ours.
Benton County
Benton County Courthouse, 102 NE A St, Bentonville
Communities we serve: Rogers, Bentonville
Benton County probate details →Cleburne County
Filed with the Cleburne County circuit clerk at the county courthouse — call the clerk's office to confirm the office location and hours.
Communities we serve: Heber Springs
Craighead County
Filed with the Craighead County circuit clerk at the county courthouse — call the clerk's office to confirm the office location and hours.
Communities we serve: Jonesboro
Faulkner County
Faulkner County Courthouse, 801 Locust St, Conway
Communities we serve: Conway, Greenbrier, Vilonia
Faulkner County probate details →Independence County
Filed with the Independence County circuit clerk at the county courthouse — call the clerk's office to confirm the office location and hours.
Communities we serve: Batesville
Lonoke County
Filed with the Lonoke County circuit clerk at the county courthouse — call the clerk's office to confirm the office location and hours.
Communities we serve: Cabot
Pulaski County
Pulaski County Courthouse, 401 W Markham St, Little Rock
Communities we serve: Little Rock, North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Sherwood, Maumelle
Pulaski County probate details →Saline County
Saline County Courthouse, 200 N Main St, Benton
Communities we serve: Benton, Bryant, Alexander
Saline County probate details →Washington County
Washington County Courthouse, 280 N College Ave, Fayetteville
Communities we serve: Fayetteville, Springdale, Prairie Grove
Washington County probate details →White County
Filed with the White County circuit clerk at the county courthouse — call the clerk's office to confirm the office location and hours.
Communities we serve: Searcy, Bald Knob
What to bring when you open an estate
- A certified copy of the death certificate — order several, you will need them repeatedly.
- The original will, if one exists. Copies create extra steps.
- The recorded deed for any real estate, for the exact legal description.
- Names, addresses, and relationships of every heir or distributee.
- A rough list of assets and known debts, including mortgage and tax balances.
- Payment for the filing fee, in a form the clerk accepts.
Clerks are generally helpful about procedure but are prohibited from giving legal advice. If you are unsure whether you need full administration or a small estate affidavit, that question is for an attorney.
Common questions
Which court handles probate in Arkansas?+
Probate matters in Arkansas are heard in circuit court. Each judicial circuit assigns probate cases to a division, and the case is filed with the circuit clerk of the county. There is no separate standalone 'probate court' building in most counties — you are going to the county courthouse and the circuit clerk's office.
Which county do I file in?+
Generally the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death, not the county where the house happens to sit. If your loved one lived in Cleburne County but owned a rental in Pulaski County, the estate is normally opened in Cleburne County.
What will the clerk ask me for?+
Expect a petition to open the estate, a certified copy of the death certificate, the original will if there is one, the names and addresses of the heirs, a description of the property, and the filing fee. Fees and local requirements vary by county — call the circuit clerk's office before you drive over.
How much does it cost to file?+
Filing fees vary by county and by what you are filing, and they change over time, so we do not publish numbers we cannot stand behind. The circuit clerk's office in your county will give you the current amount and the accepted payment methods over the phone.
Do I need an attorney to open an estate?+
Not automatically, but a personal representative administering an estate with real property is usually far better off with one. Clerks can tell you what to file; they are not allowed to give you legal advice about whether it is the right filing.
Can I look up an existing probate case?+
Arkansas court records are searchable through the state's online case information system, and the circuit clerk's office can help you locate a case number. If you are not sure whether an estate was ever opened for your loved one, that search is the place to start.
Related Arkansas probate guides
Arkansas executor checklist
Every step from death certificate to final distribution, in order.
Read the guideHow long does probate take in Arkansas?
Month-by-month timeline and the five things that drag an estate out.
Read the guideArkansas small estate affidavit
The 45-day wait, the $100,000 limit, and how to skip full probate.
Read the guideWhat can an executor sell?
Where an executor's authority comes from, and when court approval is required.
Read the guideInherited a house in one of these counties?
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