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Docket No. 05117 · Arkansas

Prairie County
Probate Court

In Arkansas, estates are probated in the Circuit Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Prairie County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.

Directions ↗
County seat
Des Arc
Population
8,036
Court
Circuit Court
Record
Courthouse mapped
AR · 0511734°50′ N · 91°33′ W
● Prairie County Courthouse
located via OpenStreetMap
Small-estate limit
$100,000
Wait 45 days after death
Creditor window
6 months
Ark. Code Ann. § 28-50-101
Executor fee
By statute
Percentage set by statute
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
§ I

Where to file in Prairie County

Handled by
Circuit Court (Probate Division)In Arkansas, probate matters are administered in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court by Circuit Judges, filed through the County/Circuit Clerk.
County building
Prairie County Courthouse In Des Arc, AR — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
Phone
No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
Opening hours
Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
State courts & e-filing
arcourts.govCase search: Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect Public Portal
§ II

How probate runs in Prairie County

Six stages, with the Arkansas rules that set the pace.

  1. 01

    Secure the original will

    Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Arkansas deadline: Must be filed within 5 years of death.

  2. 02

    Pick the right track

    If the probate estate is under $100,000, a small-estate procedure (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101) may avoid full administration.

  3. 03

    Petition the court

    File the petition with the Circuit Court (Probate Division) for Prairie County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.

  4. 04

    Inventory the estate

    Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.

  5. 05

    Notify creditors

    Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 6 months from the date of first publication of notice, or 90 days after actual receipt of notice.

  6. 06

    Account and distribute

    Pay debts, taxes and fees (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-48-108), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.

Need help with an estate in Prairie County, Arkansas?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 Arkansas courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ III

Arkansas rules that apply here

Probate law is state law — these apply in all 75 Arkansas counties.

Small estates
$100,000 (excluding homestead and statutory family allowances)Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101 · wait 45 days
Filing the will
Must be filed within 5 years of death
Creditor claims
6 months from the date of first publication of notice, or 90 days after actual receipt of noticeArk. Code Ann. § 28-50-101
Executor fees
Statutory sliding scale: up to 10% on first $1,000, 5% on next $4,000, 3% on balance over $5,000 (real property excluded unless sold)Ark. Code Ann. § 28-48-108 · estimate the fee
Handwritten wills
Recognized. Arkansas recognizes holographic wills if entire body and signature are in handwriting of testator, established by 3 credible disinterested witnesses (A.C.A. § 28-25-104).
Estate tax
No state estate tax.Arkansas has no state estate tax.
Inheritance tax
No.No inheritance tax in Arkansas.
Typical duration
6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
§ IV

Neighbouring probate courts

PrairieLonokeMonroeWoodruffWhiteArkansas
Related officePrairie County Clerk & RecorderDeath certificates, recorded deeds and marriage records for the estate file.uscountyclerks.com ↗ Related officePrairie County Property AppraiserAssessed values and parcel records for the estate inventory.uspropertyappraisers.com ↗
§ V

Questions about Prairie County probate

Where is the Prairie County Probate Court located?
In Arkansas, probate is handled by the Circuit Court (Probate Division). Probate filings in Prairie County are normally made in the county seat, Des Arc — OpenStreetMap places the Prairie County Courthouse there. Confirm the exact office on the official county website.
What is the small estate affidavit limit in Prairie County, AR?
Small-estate rules are set by state law, so they are the same in every Arkansas county: $100,000 (excluding homestead and statutory family allowances) (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101). The waiting period is 45 days.
How do I search probate case records in Prairie County?
Start with the Arkansas judiciary website (arcourts.gov), which points to Arkansas Judiciary CourtConnect Public Portal. Older files and certified copies are requested from the probate clerk in Des Arc.
What are the deadlines for filing a will and creditor claims in Prairie County?
Will: Must be filed within 5 years of death. Creditors: 6 months from the date of first publication of notice, or 90 days after actual receipt of notice (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-50-101).
How much can an executor charge in Prairie County?
Arkansas rule: Statutory sliding scale: up to 10% on first $1,000, 5% on next $4,000, 3% on balance over $5,000 (real property excluded unless sold) (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-48-108). You can estimate the amount with our executor fee calculator.