Probate Law in AR

Why Davidson Law Firm?

At Davidson Law Firm our staff and attorneys focus on providing personal service and promoting long-term relationships with our clients regardless of if they’re an individual, a family, or a large corporation. Our personal approach allows us to better serve you because we take the time to understand your unique goals and needs and apply that to our understanding of how decisions you make today can impact your future on both a personal and business level. 

At Davidson Law Firm we don’t just focus on the issue at hand, we take into consideration all the details and issues that may be impacted by your decisions and how, in turn, that will impact you, your business, and your family. Our personalized approach is what sets us apart from other probate law attorney Arkansas in Little Rock. Need more reasons to contact us about your probate law needs?

• We commit to quoting fixed-fee engagements when possible – and we stick to that arrangement.
• We do our best to take the fear and guesswork out of the probate process. We’ll always explain what you should expect and what it will cost upfront. 
• We handle dozens of probates every year providing us insight and knowledge through experience
• We appear in probate courts across Central Arkansas, including – Little Rock, Hot Springs, Searcy, and Conway.

Little Rock and Central Arkansas Probate Law Firm

Davidson Law Firm handles hundreds of estates from simply probating a will to prosecuting and defending disputed cases involving millions of dollars. You can trust us with your case – we make it a point to walk you through the process step-by-step and help break down any complicated processes into easy to understand steps. We hire our attorneys for their compassion, their integrity, and their love of the law. 

What Probate Services Do We Provide?

Probating a Will

Probate can be a complicated process, but our attorneys are experts who can help you complete the process as quickly and inexpensively as possible. 

Probating Without a Will

If your loved one died without a will, you still have to go through the probate process. Deciding what’s best for the estate and the heirs left behind can be a difficult, fraught process. We can help lead you through probate as painlessly as possible.

Contest a Will or Trust

Wills and trusts can be set aside if you can prove that they are the result of fraud. If you have questions about the validity of a will or trust, we can help you fight that dishonesty and restore the deceased’s inheritance to its rightful owners. 

Inheritance Issues

If you have inheritance questions because you’re not sure if you’re entitled to inheritance or you aren’t receiving your inheritance from the executor of the will, you can rely on the Davidson Law Firm for help!

Frequently Asked Questions about Probate Law in Arkansas

How is Probate Started?

In most cases, probate begins when a relative of the deceased works with a probate lawyer to begin a petition to probate. This can be done with or without a last will and testament. If the estate is small, the relative who initiates probate (or the executor named by the will) must run a three-month notice to notify creditors.  

If it is a regular probate, then a six-month notice will be run instead. If a creditor makes a claim during the period of notice, that claim must be resolved before the probate can proceed and inheritance can be distributed, 

What Is an Executor/Executrix and How Are They Appointed?

In Arkansas, an executor or executrix (when the person is a woman) is appointed by the deceased’s will. This is the person responsible for handling the estate and making sure the will is carried out according to the deceased’s wishes. When there is no will, the person who petitions the court to probate the deceased’s estate is typically named as the personal representative of the estate.  

How Can I Avoid Probate?

The only way to avoid the probate process is to do estate planning before the person passes. This can also depend on the assets being distributed – if the deceased owns real property, the only way to avoid probate is through a trust that supersedes the probate process. Bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and all other designated assets (usually) can be assigned beneficiary designations (who inherits each item) which allows them to avoid probate as well. 

How Long After Death Do You Have To Probate the Will?

In Arkansas, you have five years to probate a will after the person passes away. 

How Long Does Probate Take?

From beginning to end, the probate process on a small estate (that includes a three-month notice to creditors) takes about six months or less. A regular estate (with a six-month notice to creditors) usually takes nine to twelve months. Generally, we say that probate takes about a year from start to finish – but it can be a much longer process, years even, if it’s contested. 

If you have questions about probate law in Arkansas, or you need to consult with a probate attorney about a case, contact Davidson Law Firm today!