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Arkansas · Seventh Judicial Circuit of Arkansas

Grant County Circuit Court probate division Guide

Circuit Court probate division information · Updated June 2026

Settling an estate while grieving is hard. This page takes it one step at a time, and free local help is listed below.

$165+
Court filing fee
6 months
Creditor claims, from notice
870-942-2631
Filing office phone
Independent guide · Verified June 2026 · Grant County Circuit Court (Probate Division)Sources (11)

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Not sure if you need probate?

Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.

Immediate Actions

The first days

First: Get Death Certificates

Required for everything

Arkansas Vital Records

Certified Arkansas death certificates are issued by the state Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, orderable online (via the state's vital records online vendor), by mail, or in person. Grant County families order through the state office; the county Circuit Clerk does not issue death certificates.

How to order

Secure the Property

  • Lock the residence and secure valuable items
  • Forward mail to a responsible family member
  • Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)

Locate Important Documents

Will or trust documents
Property deeds
Bank/investment statements
Insurance policies
Vehicle titles
Tax returns (last 3 years)

Required by Law

Legal duties

Deposit the Will

After the testator's death, the custodian of the will must deliver it to the court with jurisdiction of the estate or to the executor named in the will (Ark. Code 28-40-105). The statute sets no fixed number of days. A person who willfully fails to deliver a will after being ordered by the court is in contempt and civilly liable to any aggrieved party. (Ark. Code 28-40-105)

Cost: Verify locally
Where: Grant County Circuit Clerk
Clerk Website

Creditor claim window

Creditors generally have 6 months from first publication of notice to creditors to bring claims against the estate. (Ark. Code § 28-50-101)

Notify Key Parties

  • Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
  • Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
  • Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits

Assess Your Situation

Before filing anything

Which probate type is right for you?

1

Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Arkansas small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.

2

Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for probate with will. If no will exists, it's intestate probate.

3

Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require probate administration.

Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.

Which applies to your situation?

Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.

A distributee may collect property by affidavit when the value (less encumbrances) of all property the decedent owned at death - excluding the homestead and the statutory allowances for a spouse or minor children - does not exceed $100,000, at least 45 days have elapsed since death, and no petition for a personal representative is pending or granted. If the estate includes real property, a notice must be published within 30 days after the affidavit is filed. The clerk charges $25 to file plus $5 per certified copy. The $100,000 cap is a fixed statutory amount and is not inflation-indexed.

Qualifies:
$100,000
Filing fee:
$25

The executor (with a will) or administrator (without a will) is appointed by the Circuit Court, Probate Division, receives letters, files an inventory, gives notice to creditors, and files accountings. Real property generally vests in heirs or devisees at death subject to administration if needed to pay debts. Verify bond, surety, original-will, and notice requirements with the court.

Attorney:
not required by law, though many families use one

Arkansas's small estate procedure (collection by distributee) allows a distributee to collect property by affidavit when the value, less encumbrances, of all property the decedent owned at death (excluding the homestead and the statutory allowances for a spouse or minor children) does not exceed $100,000, at least 45 days have elapsed since death, and no petition for a personal representative is pending or granted. If the estate includes real property, a notice of death and the filing must be published within 30 days after the affidavit is filed.

Qualifies:
$100,000

File for Probate

Where to file, forms & fees

Where to File

Office: Grant County Circuit Court (Probate Division)
Address: 103 W. Center Street, Room 106, Sheridan, AR 72150
How: in person, mail

Free Filing Help Available

Grant County Circuit Clerk (Probate filing office) can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.

Visit Self-Help Center

Other Topics That May Apply

Property & Real Estate

Property transfer after death, recording

Grant County Circuit Clerk and Recorder

Website

Vehicle Title Transfer

Retitle or transfer the deceased's vehicle. Office, forms, fees.

Sheridan Revenue Office

Phone:
870-942-3522
Address:
111 N Rose St, Room 101, Sheridan, AR 72150
Office Website

When an Arkansas vehicle owner dies, the title is transferred through a DFA State Revenue Office. Arkansas offers several paths: a transfer-on-death (Certificate of Title with Beneficiary) designation, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, an Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle for estates not being probated, and full probate for estates requiring court administration.

Transfer scenarios

Transfer-on-Death Beneficiary Designation (Certificate of Title with Beneficiary)

Documents needed:

  • Certificate of Title with Beneficiary (designated during owner's lifetime at a State Revenue Office)
  • Certified death certificate of the deceased owner
  • Title application (Application for Title or Replacement Title)
  • Title fee of $10.00

During lifetime: owner completes Certificate of Title with Beneficiary form at a State Revenue Office. After death: beneficiary presents the TOD certificate, a certified death certificate, and title application at any State Revenue Office to obtain a new title.

The Certificate of Title with Beneficiary form was updated effective 01/31/2024. Confirm current form requirements at dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-forms/.

Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship

Documents needed:

  • Original vehicle title showing joint tenancy with right of survivorship
  • Certified death certificate of the deceased joint owner
  • Application for Title or Replacement Title
  • Title fee of $10.00

Surviving joint owner presents the death certificate and existing title at any DFA State Revenue Office. A new title is issued in the survivor's name alone.

The title must reflect survivorship ownership. Joint ownership shown as 'AND' rather than 'OR' may indicate tenancy in common, which would require probate or an Affidavit of Inheritance.

Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle (No-Probate Transfer)

Documents needed:

  • Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle (completed and notarized; available at dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-forms/)
  • Original vehicle title (if available)
  • Certified death certificate
  • Application for Title or Replacement Title
  • Government-issued photo identification
  • Title fee of $10.00

The heir completes and notarizes the Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle, then presents it along with the death certificate, existing title, and application at any DFA State Revenue Office. A new title is issued in the heir's name without a court order.

The affidavit certifies that no estate administration has occurred and any will has not been (and will not be) admitted to probate. If the estate is being probated, use the probate transfer path. Note the Notice of Transfer of Ownership (Form 10-306) is a related form also available on the DFA forms page.

Small Estate — Collection by Distributee (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101)

Documents needed:

  • Affidavit for collection of small estate (filed with the circuit court clerk of the county of the decedent's residence under § 28-41-101)
  • Original vehicle title (if available)
  • Certified death certificate
  • Application for Title or Replacement Title at a DFA State Revenue Office
  • Title fee of $10.00

At least 45 days after death, and when no personal representative has been appointed or petition is pending, the distributee files an affidavit with the circuit court clerk under § 28-41-101 and then presents the court-filed affidavit and other documents at a DFA State Revenue Office to transfer the vehicle title.

This is the general small-estate affidavit under Title 28 (Wills and Estates). The DFA's Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle may serve as the vehicle-specific mechanism for nonprobate transfers; consult the serving State Revenue Office for which form to use in a specific situation.

Sole Owner — Probate (Personal Representative Transfer)

Documents needed:

  • Original vehicle title (or apply for a replacement title if lost; fee $10.00)
  • Certified death certificate
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration issued by the Arkansas Circuit Court (Probate Division)
  • Application for Title or Replacement Title
  • Title fee of $10.00

Open probate in the Circuit Court (Probate Division) in the county of the decedent's residence. The appointed personal representative presents letters, the death certificate, and the title application at any DFA State Revenue Office to transfer title.

Arkansas probate is filed in the Circuit Court (Probate Division). The personal representative may also use the DFA State Revenue Office serving the county of the decedent's residence.

Forms

  • Certificate of Title with Beneficiary(Completed during owner's lifetime at a DFA State Revenue Office; effective 01/31/2024)
  • Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle(Used when estate is not being probated; certifies no administration has occurred and will has not been admitted. Must be notarized.)
  • Notice of Transfer of Ownership(10-306)(Related form on DFA Motor Vehicle Forms page; verify with DFA which scenarios require this form vs. the Affidavit of Inheritance)
  • Application for Title or Replacement Title(Required for all title transfer transactions at a DFA State Revenue Office)

Fees

Title fee of $10.00 per the DFA Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule Part 1 (Miscellaneous Fees section). The same $10.00 fee applies for both a new title and a replacement/duplicate title, per the DFA Replacement Titles page and DSMV FAQs.$10
lien filing fee$0.5
tag transfer fee$1

Fees from DFA Motor Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule Part 1 (schedule_fee1.pdf). Verify current fees at dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-forms/. County assessor taxes may also apply on registration.

Small-estate vehicle transfer

Arkansas allows a distributee to collect and transfer a decedent's personal property — including motor vehicles — without appointment of a personal representative by filing an affidavit with the circuit court clerk under Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101 when the estate's total value (less encumbrances) does not exceed $100,000 and at least 45 days have elapsed since death.

Threshold: $100,000

For vehicle-specific nonprobate transfers, the DFA also offers the Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle. Consult the serving State Revenue Office for which mechanism to use. The small-estate affidavit under § 28-41-101 covers personal property only and cannot transfer real estate.

Lost or duplicate title

If the original certificate of title is lost, misplaced, or accidentally destroyed

The last titled owner(s) complete the Application for Title or Replacement Title and present it at any DFA State Revenue Office with identification and any required lien release. Allow a minimum of three weeks for standard processing. Out-of-state applicants may mail a completed application with a $10.00 check to the DFA.

Form:Application for Title or Replacement Title

Fee: $10

If an active lien is recorded, the lienholder must complete the Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue Replacement Title form (Form 10-315). If the owner claims the lien was released, a lien release is required; the DFA notifies the lienholder, who has 10 business days to respond.

Helpful resources

  • Arkansas DFA – Office of Motor Vehicle

    Official Arkansas DFA Motor Vehicle page: overview of title/registration/lien law; links to forms and Revenue Office locator.

  • Arkansas DFA – Motor Vehicle Forms

    Complete list of DFA motor vehicle forms including Affidavit of Inheritance, Certificate of Title with Beneficiary, Application for Title or Replacement Title, Notice of Transfer of Ownership, and fee schedules.

  • Arkansas DFA – Replacement Titles

    Requirements and process for obtaining a replacement title in Arkansas; fee $10.00; allow three weeks for standard processing.

  • Arkansas DFA – All County Office Locations

    Official DFA office locator for all 75 Arkansas counties; filter by county and category (Revenue Office) to find the serving State Revenue Office.

  • Arkansas Code Annotated – Free Public Access

    Official Arkansas Code Annotated via LexisNexis Free Public Access, linked from the Arkansas General Assembly website (arkleg.state.ar.us). Key sections: § 28-41-101 (small-estate collection by distributee); Title 27 (Transportation/Motor Vehicles).

  • Arkansas General Assembly

    Official Arkansas General Assembly website; gateway to the Arkansas Code Annotated (Arkansas Law menu → Arkansas Code and Constitution of 1874).

Statewide forms and steps live in the vehicle title transfer guide. If the title cannot be found, see selling a car without a title.

Vehicle sources (13)

You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.

A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.

See how to avoid probate in Arkansas

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does probate cost in Grant County?
Probate filing fees in Grant County, Arkansas vary by the type of administration. The court filing fee shown on this page is $165+; confirm current amounts with the Circuit Court probate division before filing.
How long does probate take in Grant County?
Timelines depend on the probate procedure, the court, and whether notice or publication is required. Simplified procedures can range from a few weeks to several months, while full administration often takes 6-12 months or longer.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Grant County?
Attorney requirements depend on the type of administration and your specific situation. Consider talking with a probate attorney before filing or making legal decisions.

More Arkansas Resources

Explore the rest of the Arkansas probate hub.

Do I need probate?5 pages
For the executor5 pages
Money and taxes5 pages
Family and inheritance5 pages
Transfer assets5 pages
File and learn5 pages

Verified against Grant County Circuit Court (Probate Division) on June 14, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Arkansas can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.