Arkansas · Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit of Arkansas
Lonoke County Circuit Court probate division Guide
Settled Estate records a $165+ court filing fee and a 6-month creditor claim period for the Lonoke County Circuit Court (Probate Division), read from 6 linked sources and last verified June 14, 2026.
Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.
Certified Arkansas death certificates are issued by the state Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, not by the Lonoke County clerk. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. The first certified copy is $10 and each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $8; online orders add a $5 processing fee and a $1.85 identity-verification fee. Verify the current fees and accepted ID before ordering.
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)
2
Required by Law
Legal duties
Deposit the Will
A person who has custody of a will must deliver it after the testator's death so it can be offered for probate before the Circuit Court (Probate Division). Arkansas does not set a fixed numeric day count in this template. Verify the custodian's obligations and timing with the court. (Ark. Code 28-40-105)
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
3
Assess Your Situation
Before filing anything
Which probate type is right for you?
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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.
Under Ark. Code 28-41-101 a distributee may collect a small estate by affidavit, without appointment of a personal representative, when no petition for a personal representative is pending or granted, at least 45 days have passed since death, and the value of all property owned by the decedent at death (less encumbrances, and excluding homestead and statutory allowances for a spouse or minor children) does not exceed $100,000. The affidavit is filed with the probate clerk of the circuit court of proper venue. Verify eligibility for the specific assets involved.
Qualifies:
$100,000
Filing fee:
$25
A personal representative (executor under a will, or administrator without a will) is appointed by the Circuit Court (Probate Division). The representative receives letters testamentary or letters of administration, inventories the estate, gives notice to creditors, pays valid claims, and distributes the remaining property. Verify bond, notice, inventory, and accounting 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
4
File for Probate
Where to file, forms & fees
Where to File
Office: Lonoke County Circuit Court (Probate Division)
Address: 301 North Center Street, P.O. Box 870, Lonoke, AR 72086
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How: in person, by mail
Free Filing Help Available
Lonoke County Circuit Clerk (Probate filing) can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.
County is served by 2 DFA State Revenue Offices. Listed office is the primary/county-seat location.
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.
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.
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).
Probate filing fees in Lonoke 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 Lonoke 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 Lonoke 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.
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Do I need probate?5 pagesFor the executor5 pagesMoney and taxes5 pagesFamily and inheritance5 pagesTransfer assets5 pagesFile and learn5 pages
Verified against Lonoke 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.