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Conway County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Conway County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Conway County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Conway County Clerk's office, probate clerk for the Conway County Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110 |
| Mailing address | 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110 |
| Phone | (501) 354-9621 |
| Fax | (501) 354-9610 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No local midday closure or filing cutoff is stated. |
| Filing fee | Current as of August 2026: $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, made up of the $150.00 circuit court filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416; $25.00 to file an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 per certified copy. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Conway County has not added a county-specific probate form, checklist, or cover-sheet instruction. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Conway County Clerk's office whether this court will register them, and can otherwise file in person in Morrilton or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the statewide case information portal. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Conway County Clerk's office and check the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan for current hearing practice. |
| Website | https://conwaycountyar.com/home/county-clerk/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Morrilton, make a practical list of the accounts, debts, real estate, vehicles, personal property, and possible creditor issues. The right estate settlement path depends on what the person owned, how each asset was titled, whether a will exists, and whether anyone is likely to object.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts and assets before they choose forms or pay court costs. That is especially useful in Conway County because the filing counter is local, but the asset questions may involve banks, insurers, employers, and property outside Morrilton.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Conway County is filed at the Conway County Courthouse in Morrilton, with the Conway County Clerk's office serving as the probate clerk for the Conway County Circuit Court. The county is in Arkansas's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, composed of Conway, Logan, Scott, and Yell counties, but a Conway County estate is filed at the Conway County courthouse, not in another county in the circuit.
Arkansas venue for probate of a will or administration is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. In general, the filing belongs in the county where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, the statute uses the Arkansas county with the greater part in value of the decedent's Arkansas property, then the county of death if there was no Arkansas residence or property, and then any county where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a misfiled proceeding can be transferred by the circuit court instead of starting over.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, a list of known heirs and beneficiaries, and a first inventory of assets and liabilities for the estate settlement.
- Check timing. Arkansas generally requires an application to admit a will to probate or grant administration within five years after death, subject to the exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing route. If the estate qualifies for an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, 45 days have passed since death, and the value is $100,000 or less after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, use the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise, prepare a full administration petition.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms that match the case, such as a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or a petition for appointment of administrator, and add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Conway County Clerk's office at 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110. Current as of August 2026, the opening fee is $165.00, made up of A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and A.C.A. § 21-6-416. If the filer cannot afford the fee, ask the court about a Rule 72 fee-waiver request.
- Handle notice and hearing requirements. Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, the court must set a hearing if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and may set one in other cases. Ask the clerk how the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is handling any phone or video request.
- After the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the seal of the court as provided in A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- Publish notice of appointment and serve copies as required. Arkansas creditor claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111, and known heirs, devisees, and known or reasonably ascertainable unpaid creditors receive notice within the statutory time.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, protecting property, addressing claims, paying proper debts and taxes, and keeping records for the final accounting.
- Close the estate by filing the required accounting, requesting final distribution, making distributions authorized by the court, and obtaining discharge of the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Conway County
Conway County probate filings use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. The statewide form set includes decedent-estate forms for petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
| Form resource | How it applies in Conway County |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Use these forms for decedent estate filings in the probate division of the Conway County Circuit Court. |
| Statewide probate cover sheet | Include the probate cover sheet with an opening or closing probate filing. |
| Conway County local forms | Conway County has not added a county-specific probate form, checklist, or cover-sheet instruction. |
| Where to file | File completed probate papers with the Conway County Clerk's office, 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110. |
Local nuance
Conway County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Conway County filing |
|---|---|
| Probate filings go to the County Clerk | The Conway County Clerk's office is the local filing counter for probate matters. The circuit clerk's office at 115 South Moose Street handles other circuit court divisions and is not the place to start a decedent estate filing. |
| Morrilton is the courthouse city | Conway County's courthouse is in Morrilton. Do not confuse Conway County with the city of Conway, which is in Faulkner County. |
| Single Conway County courthouse for probate | Conway County is not one of Arkansas's dual local judicial-district counties. Use the Morrilton courthouse for Conway County probate filings. |
| Fifteenth Judicial Circuit plan | The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan lists Conway County's courthouse in Morrilton and identifies probate as a subject division. It does not publish a probate-specific hearing day or remote-appearance rule for Conway County. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | Starting January 1, 2026, Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal-aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. It is income-restricted and may not take estate administration matters. |
| Electronic filing | The Arkansas Judiciary's eFlex portal at efile.arcourts.gov states that an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy takes effect December 9, 2025, and that subscription-based payment support ends June 5, 2026. |
| Case lookup | Arkansas public case information is moving to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and what other assets need court authority. If a probate filing is needed, file in Morrilton with the Conway County Clerk's office. Homestead treatment and statutory allowances are Arkansas law issues under A.C.A. § 28-39-101, so review them before choosing a filing path. | Sunset helps find accounts, insurance, debts, and property details so the spouse can see whether court authority is needed and what documents belong in the estate settlement packet. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate fits the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee requirements, including the $100,000 cap as calculated under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit is filed with the Conway County Clerk's office and certified copies are used with banks or holders of property. If a full administration is needed, ask the clerk about any hearing and about the process for a self-represented filer. | Sunset gathers asset information, helps organize the probate packet, and can connect the adult child with a local Arkansas probate attorney if letters are needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | An affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property adds publication duties and a creditor period. A sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, so a full administration may be the practical path. | Sunset helps identify title, mortgage, tax, and account issues before the parent files in Morrilton, and can connect the family with a vetted attorney for the sale and court filings. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Conway County Clerk's office | Local filing counter for Conway County probate papers, including decedent estate instruments filed in Morrilton. | 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110; (501) 354-9621; https://conwaycountyar.com/home/county-clerk/ |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | State probate forms and the probate cover sheet used for filings in the probate division of the Conway County Circuit Court. | arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal-information site with a small-estate packet that describes filing an affidavit with the probate clerk under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information search at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Some public documents may appear for some courts, but document availability varies. | caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide civil legal-aid intake for income-eligible Arkansans. Its published priorities do not promise estate administration representation. | 1-800-952-9243; arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A probate attorney is especially helpful in Conway County when the estate includes real property to sell, creditor disputes, missing heirs, a contested will, a nonresident personal representative, tax questions, or uncertainty about whether the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 is enough. 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, retirement accounts, life insurance, investment accounts, and other assets that can change the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn asset information, family details, and court requirements into an organized packet for the Conway County Clerk's office, including the Arkansas probate forms and cover sheet that fit the situation.
Find a local probate attorney. When an estate needs letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, a sale of real property, or help with a contested issue, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset gives families a clearer estate settlement starting point before they spend money on filings, publications, or professional help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Conway County, Arkansas?
File Conway County probate papers with the Conway County Clerk's office at 117 South Moose Street, Room 202, Morrilton, AR 72110. The case is in the probate division of the Conway County Circuit Court.
Is Conway County the same as the city of Conway for probate?
No. Conway County probate is handled in Morrilton. The city of Conway is in Faulkner County, so a Faulkner County address, phone number, or form should not be used for a Conway County estate.
How much does it cost to open a probate estate in Conway County?
Current as of August 2026, it costs $165.00 to open a decedent's estate in Arkansas circuit court: $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. The $25.00 fee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 is for an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, not for opening a full decedent estate.
Can I e-file a Conway County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should call the Conway County Clerk's office at (501) 354-9621 to ask whether this court will register them for electronic filing, and can otherwise file in person in Morrilton or by mail.
Will there be a hearing in a Conway County probate case?
Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, a hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and the court may set a hearing in other cases. The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit plan does not publish a Conway County probate hearing day.
Can I attend a Conway County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Conway County Clerk's office and check the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan. Remote appearance practice is set by the circuit judge and local plan, and the local materials do not publish a probate-specific phone or video rule.
How do I look up a Conway County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide case information for circuit courts, but online document availability varies by court.
Does Conway County have its own probate forms?
Conway County has not added a county-specific probate form, checklist, or cover-sheet instruction. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet for filings in Morrilton.
What is the deadline to start probate in Arkansas?
Arkansas generally requires an application to admit a will to probate or grant administration within five years after death, subject to the exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103. Creditor claims are a separate clock: after letters issue and notice is published, claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
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.