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Boone County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Boone County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Boone County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Judicial circuit | Arkansas's Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, shared with Baxter, Boone, Marion and Newton counties |
| Probate filings go to | Boone County Clerk's Office, 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101, Harrison, AR 72601 |
| Mailing | Call the Boone County Clerk before mailing probate papers. The probate filing counter is listed at 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101, Harrison, AR 72601. |
| Phone | (870) 741-8428, with the clerk option listed as option 1 |
| Fax | (870) 741-9724 |
| Hours | Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through the lunch hour, closed on major holidays. Call before visiting if you need a filing cutoff time. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, current as of August 2026, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under (A.C.A. § 21-6-403) and the $15.00 court technology fee under (A.C.A. § 21-6-416). The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Boone County does not publish an extra county probate form or checklist on the county clerk page. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Boone County Clerk whether that court will register them for electronic filing and should use in-person or mail filing if directed by the clerk. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Boone County Clerk and check the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan before assuming a phone or video appearance will be allowed. |
| Website | https://www.boonecountyar.com/county-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Boone County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, beneficiaries, possible creditors and whether an original will exists. That inventory drives venue, the filing route, the notice plan and whether the Boone County Clerk can accept the first probate packet.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 institutions, then helps organize the information needed for the Boone County probate filing. That preparation is especially useful when family members are not sure which accounts, insurance policies or property interests still need court authority.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Boone County probate matters are filed in Harrison with the Boone County Clerk's Office, which serves as the local probate filing office for the probate division of the Boone County Circuit Court. Boone County is not one of Arkansas's dual-district counties, so the Boone County filing location serves the county rather than a second courthouse.
Arkansas venue for probate of a will or estate administration is generally the county where the decedent resided at death. If the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, venue can turn on where the greater part in value of Arkansas property is located, where the decedent died, or where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property until venue is decided, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than dismissed.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if one exists, known asset information, debt information and names and addresses for heirs, devisees and known creditors.
- Check the Arkansas outer deadline. A will is not admitted to probate and administration is not granted unless the application is made within five years from the decedent's death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the filing path. If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies at $100,000 or under after encumbrances, excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, a distributee may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, current as of August 2026, under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101) and (A.C.A. § 28-39-101). Otherwise, prepare a full administration petition.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms that fit the case, such as a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or a petition for appointment of an administrator, and add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File the packet with the Boone County Clerk's Office at 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101, Harrison, AR 72601. The opening fee is $165.00, current as of August 2026, under (A.C.A. § 21-6-403) and (A.C.A. § 21-6-416). Ask the court about a Rule 72 in forma pauperis request if the filing fee cannot be paid.
- Handle notice and any hearing. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and otherwise the court may set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the Boone County Clerk about the judge's scheduling and any phone or video request before relying on it.
- After the court appoints the personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal when the required acceptance and any required bond step are complete (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment and serve copies on heirs, devisees and known or reasonably ascertainable creditors within one month after first publication, including the Arkansas Department of Human Services when required. Claims are forever barred if not presented within six months from first publication (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer the estate settlement by collecting assets, protecting property, addressing claims, paying approved debts and taxes, preparing any required inventory or accounting, distributing property and seeking final discharge from the court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Boone County
Boone County uses Arkansas's official probate form set and the statewide probate cover sheet. The Arkansas Judiciary publishes official forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee (A.C.A. § 28-41-101).
The Boone County Clerk page lists probate filing fees for decedent estates and small estates but does not publish a separate Boone County probate form, checklist or cover-sheet instruction. Bring or file the statewide cover sheet with the petition, and call the Boone County Clerk if you are unsure whether the judge wants an additional local practice step.
Local nuance
Boone County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Boone County filing |
|---|---|
| Probate counter | Use the Boone County Clerk's Office at 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101 in Harrison for probate filings. The circuit clerk address on North Main Street is a different office. |
| Phone number | Call (870) 741-8428 and choose the clerk option for probate questions. Do not rely on a circuit clerk phone line for Boone County probate filing logistics. |
| Fee match | The Boone County Clerk's fee list matches Arkansas law: $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, current as of August 2026, under (A.C.A. § 21-6-403) and (A.C.A. § 21-6-416), and $25.00 for the small-estate affidavit, current as of August 2026, under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). |
| Single county filing location | Boone County is served from Harrison for probate filings. The case is filed in Boone County, not in another county within the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole statewide civil legal-aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties on January 1, 2026. Estate administration is not listed as a published priority, so families should use the intake line to ask about eligibility and fit. |
| Electronic filing | The eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect December 9, 2025, and the eFlex subscription-based payment option ends June 5, 2026. The filing portal is efile.arcourts.gov. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the public statewide case information portal for Arkansas circuit courts. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely path in Boone County | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether any assets still require Boone County court authority. If a court filing is needed, file with the Boone County Clerk in Harrison. Homestead treatment and statutory allowances can affect the small-estate calculation under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101) and (A.C.A. § 28-39-101). | Sunset helps identify accounts, property interests and debts so the spouse can see whether a Boone County estate settlement needs court filings or only targeted transfers. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies at $100,000 or under after the Arkansas exclusions, the adult child may be able to file the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee with the Boone County Clerk under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). A certified copy can then be used with banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about Form 9, Designation of Process Agent, and about any hearing logistics. | Sunset organizes the asset list, helps generate a probate packet and can help the child decide what to ask the Boone County Clerk before traveling to Harrison. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A small-estate affidavit can include real property under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101), but real property triggers publication and a creditor window. A sale often requires letters issued after the court appoints a personal representative under (A.C.A. § 28-48-102). File the petition with the Boone County Clerk. | Sunset helps gather deed, mortgage, account and debt information, then connects the family with local probate counsel when a sale or creditor issue makes the estate settlement more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps Boone County families |
|---|---|
| Boone County Clerk's Office | Probate filing counter for Boone County. Call (870) 741-8428, option 1, or visit 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101 in Harrison for filing logistics, hours and fee questions. |
| Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms | Provides the official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet used for Arkansas probate filings, including decedent-estate forms and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). |
| Arkansas Law Help | Statewide legal-information site with a small-estate packet and instructions for the affidavit process under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It can help look up public case information, while document availability varies by court. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide civil legal-aid intake at 1-800-952-9243. Services are income-restricted, and estate administration is not listed as a published priority, so ask whether your issue fits intake guidelines. |
When to hire an attorney
Legal counsel makes sense when a Boone County estate involves real property, a home sale, disputed heirs, creditor claims, a nonresident personal representative, tax questions, missing assets or disagreement over who should serve. A lawyer can prepare pleadings, handle notice, coordinate publication, address title issues and appear before the circuit judge when needed. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property that may affect the Boone County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into an organized probate packet using the Arkansas court forms and the Boone County filing details, including the county clerk filing address in Harrison.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Boone County estate settlement needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted probate attorney for filings, hearings, real estate issues or disputes.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize probate information, understand next steps and decide whether to file on their own or bring in counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Boone County, Arkansas?
File probate papers with the Boone County Clerk's Office at 220 North Arbor Drive, Suite 101, Harrison, AR 72601. The case is in the probate division of the Boone County Circuit Court, but the Boone County Clerk's Office is the local probate filing counter.
Is the Boone County Circuit Clerk the probate filing office?
No. Boone County probate filings go to the Boone County Clerk's Office. The circuit clerk office on North Main Street is a different office and is not the filing counter identified for Boone County probate matters.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Boone County?
The fee to open a decedent's estate is $165.00, current as of August 2026. That total is the $150.00 uniform filing fee under (A.C.A. § 21-6-403) plus the $15.00 court technology fee under (A.C.A. § 21-6-416). The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under (A.C.A. § 28-41-101).
Can I e-file a Boone County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are representing yourself, ask the Boone County Clerk whether that court will register you for electronic filing and what filing method to use if it will not.
Can I look up a Boone County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for free statewide circuit court case information. The portal provides case information, but the availability of public documents varies by court.
Does Boone County have its own probate forms?
Boone County does not publish an extra county probate form or checklist on the county clerk page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet.
Will there be a hearing in Boone County probate?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise the court may set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the Boone County Clerk about scheduling and the judge's current practice.
Do I have to travel to Harrison for Boone County probate?
Maybe. Filings are handled by the Boone County Clerk in Harrison, but you should ask the clerk about mail filing, eFlex options through efile.arcourts.gov and any request to attend a hearing by phone or video before making travel plans.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.