Back to Arkansas
Crawford County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Crawford County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Crawford County Circuit Clerk, (479) 474-1821, options 2 and 4 |
| Courthouse address | 317 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72956 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 608, 317 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72956. Call the Circuit Clerk before mailing if ZIP precision matters because the clerk page and other listings do not use the same ZIP. |
| Fax | (479) 471-0622 |
| Hours | The Circuit Clerk does not publish probate counter hours on the county site. Call before you go. |
| Filing fee | To open a decedent's estate: $165.00, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, reprinted in 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, plus $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00, with $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026. |
| Local forms | The Crawford County Circuit Clerk links the statewide probate cover sheet and the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms. No separate Crawford-specific probate form or checklist is published on the Circuit Clerk page. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Circuit Clerk whether this court will register them and can otherwise ask about filing in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide case information through caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Circuit Clerk and check the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit's administrative plan before assuming a phone or video appearance will be allowed. |
| Website | https://www.crawfordcountyar.gov/officials/circuit_clerk.cshtml |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Van Buren, list what the person owned, what was jointly owned, what had beneficiaries, and what debts or claims may exist. That asset map determines whether you need full administration or whether the Arkansas affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 may fit.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families search across 2,300 financial institutions, organize account information, and build the packet before a filing is made with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Crawford County probate filings are made with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk in Van Buren, in the probate division of the Crawford County Circuit Court. The Twenty-First Judicial Circuit consists of Crawford County only, but the filing still happens at the Crawford County courthouse counter for this county.
Arkansas venue is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. Probate is filed where the decedent resided in Arkansas at death, or, for a nonresident, where the greater part in value of the Arkansas property is located, or under the remaining statutory rules if the person had no Arkansas residence or property. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than started over.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the original will if there is one, beneficiary information, deeds, account statements, debts, and known creditor information before going to the Crawford County Circuit Clerk.
- Check the Arkansas timing rule. A will cannot be admitted and administration cannot be granted unless the application is made within five years from death, subject to the statute's exceptions, under A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing path. If 45 days have passed and the estate fits the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, including the $100,000 cap measured less encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, use A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026, with the Arkansas form. Otherwise prepare a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative, or a petition for appointment of an administrator.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms and add the statewide probate cover sheet. Crawford's Circuit Clerk states that a cover sheet must accompany cases when opening or closing a case.
- File with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk at 317 Main Street in Van Buren. To open a decedent's estate, the filing cost is $165.00, current August 2026, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. Ask the court about a Rule 72 waiver if the filing fee cannot be paid.
- If the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, the court must set a hearing. Otherwise, the court may set a hearing under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the Circuit Clerk how the judge wants appearances handled before making travel plans.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- After letters are granted, publish the notice of appointment. Claims are barred six months from the first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111, and copies must be served on heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required by that statute.
- Administer the estate by gathering assets, keeping records, addressing claims, paying allowed expenses and taxes, and preparing any inventory, accounting, distribution request, and discharge paperwork the case requires.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Crawford County
The Crawford County Circuit Clerk links to the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide probate cover sheet and Official Probate Forms. The statewide set includes petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory, accounting, claim forms, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
| Form source | What to use in Crawford County |
|---|---|
| Probate cover sheet | Use the Arkansas Judiciary probate cover sheet. Crawford's Circuit Clerk says a cover sheet must accompany cases when opening or closing a case. |
| Official Probate Forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary probate division forms linked by the Crawford County Circuit Clerk. |
| Crawford-specific forms | The Circuit Clerk page does not publish a separate Crawford-only probate packet or checklist. |
Fees
Crawford's Circuit Clerk publishes the same opening charge as the statewide statutes: $165.00, current August 2026, for initiating a circuit court case, including probate, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. The same Crawford page lists a $50.00 reopening charge under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, current August 2026, and says a cover sheet must accompany cases when opening or closing a case.
The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is different from opening a full estate. It costs $25.00 to file and $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026.
Local nuance
Crawford County-specific considerations
Crawford County is a circuit clerk probate county. The Crawford County Circuit Clerk's page says that office maintains records for the probate division of the circuit court and files decedent estate cases and affidavits of small estates. The Crawford County Clerk page lists a different office at 300 Main Street, Room 7, but that page does not list probate among its functions.
For a probate filing, use the Crawford County Circuit Clerk's probate counter information, not the County Clerk's Room 7 contact information. If you are mailing documents, call the Circuit Clerk first because the Circuit Clerk page and other listings do not use the same ZIP for the 317 Main Street mailing block.
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | As of January 1, 2026, Legal Aid of Arkansas is the sole LSC-funded civil legal aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. It is income-restricted and may not take estate matters. |
| eFlex filing policy | The Arkansas Judiciary's eFlex site says an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy takes effect December 9, 2025, and subscription-based payments end June 5, 2026. |
| Case lookup | The Arkansas Judiciary directs public users to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov for statewide public case information. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Crawford County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming the deed and beneficiary designations. If court authority is needed, file with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk in Van Buren. The homestead and statutory allowances are considered under A.C.A. § 28-39-101 when the Arkansas affidavit route is evaluated. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance, debts, and title questions so the spouse can see whether estate settlement requires a court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 fits, the affidavit is filed with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk and certified copies are used with banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about the designation of process agent form and any appearance instructions. | Sunset organizes institution searches and documents so an out-of-state child can prepare before contacting the Van Buren clerk. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Arkansas affidavit route can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property adds publication steps and a creditor window. A sale often requires letters from the court under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, so counsel is commonly useful. | Sunset helps assemble property, debt, and account information and can connect the family with a local probate attorney for the sale path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Crawford County Circuit Clerk | Local filing counter for Crawford County probate filings, including decedent estates and affidavits of small estates under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://www.crawfordcountyar.gov/officials/circuit_clerk.cshtml, (479) 474-1821 |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Statewide probate forms and probate cover sheet used for filings in the probate division. | https://www.arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including small-estate packet materials under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information through caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Some court documents may not be available online. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Income-restricted civil legal aid intake. Its published priorities do not promise probate representation, so call to ask about eligibility and scope. | 1-800-952-9243, https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A probate attorney is especially useful when heirs disagree, the will may be challenged, real property must be sold, creditors are active, a nonresident will serve, tax questions are present, or the family is unsure whether the affidavit route 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 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts, policies, and assets that can shape the Crawford County estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the information you gather into an organized probate packet, including the details needed for Arkansas forms and the Crawford County Circuit Clerk filing.
Find a local probate attorney
When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a local probate attorney who understands Arkansas circuit court practice.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families and is designed to make estate settlement clearer, faster, and less fragmented.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Crawford County, Arkansas?
File with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk at 317 Main Street in Van Buren. Crawford County probate is handled in the probate division of the Crawford County Circuit Court.
Is Crawford County probate filed with the County Clerk?
No. In Crawford County, probate filings go to the Crawford County Circuit Clerk. The County Clerk's Room 7 address is a different office and is not the probate filing counter identified by the county's probate page.
How much does it cost to open a probate estate in Crawford County?
To open a decedent's estate, the cost is $165.00, current August 2026. That total is $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, reprinted in 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, plus $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009.
What is the small-estate affidavit fee in Crawford County?
The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 to file and $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026. It is filed with the Crawford County Circuit Clerk, not handed directly to a bank first.
Does Crawford County have local probate forms?
The Crawford County Circuit Clerk links the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide probate cover sheet and Official Probate Forms. The Circuit Clerk page does not publish a separate Crawford-only probate packet.
Can I e-file a Crawford County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are self-represented, ask the Crawford County Circuit Clerk whether this court will register you for electronic filing and what in-person or mail filing steps are accepted.
Can I look up a Crawford County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. It provides statewide public case information, but online document access varies by court and by document type.
Will I have to travel to Van Buren for a probate hearing?
Ask the Crawford County Circuit Clerk before making travel plans. Arkansas law makes a hearing mandatory if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is filed, and otherwise the court may set one under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Phone or video appearance practice depends on the judge and the circuit's administrative plan.
What is the deadline to start probate in Crawford County?
Arkansas generally requires the application to admit a will or grant administration to be made within five years from death under A.C.A. § 28-40-103. After letters are granted, creditor 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.