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Howard County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Howard County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Howard County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse | Howard County Courthouse, 421 North Main Street, Room 10, Nashville, AR 71852 |
| Probate filings go to | Call ahead to confirm whether the circuit clerk or county clerk accepts probate filings. Circuit clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 5. County clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 2. |
| Mailing address | 421 North Main Street, Room 10, Nashville, AR 71852 |
| Fax | Circuit clerk fax listed by the Arkansas Judiciary: (870) 845-7505 |
| Hours | Call before visiting. Clerk hours, lunch closures and filing cutoffs are not listed in the Howard County courthouse contacts available for this page. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, reprinted effective March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 as of August 2026 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 as of August 2026 for each certified copy. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Ask the clerk whether Howard County wants any local cover instruction with your filing. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Howard County clerk whether that court will register the filer and, if not, how to file in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide case information. Document availability depends on the court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk before any hearing. Phone or video attendance is controlled by the circuit judge and the circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan. |
| Website | Howard County profile: https://www.arcounties.org/counties/howard/. Arkansas Judiciary clerk contacts: https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/circuit-clerks and https://www.arcourts.gov/directories/county-judge-clerk. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a probate path in Howard County, make a first list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts and any assets with named beneficiaries. That asset picture controls whether a court appointment is needed, whether an affidavit route may work and how much estate settlement work remains.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help identify accounts and balances before you call the Nashville courthouse or prepare the probate packet. For Howard County, that call matters because the courthouse contact listings do not identify which clerk counter accepts probate filings.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Howard County probate is handled at the Howard County Courthouse in Nashville, in the probate division of the Howard County Circuit Court. The court sits in Arkansas's Ninth West Judicial Circuit, but the case is filed at the Howard County courthouse, not in another county in the circuit.
Arkansas venue for probate and administration is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The usual filing place is the county where the decedent lived at death. If the decedent did not live in Arkansas, the statute looks to the Arkansas county with the greater part in value of the decedent's Arkansas property, then to the county of death if there was no Arkansas residence or property, and then to a county where the personal representative may maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a misfiled case is transferred if another county is determined to be the proper place.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, beneficiary information, asset details, debts and real estate information before you prepare the Howard County filing.
- Check the Arkansas filing deadline. No will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years from death, subject to the exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the Arkansas route. If, as of August 2026, 45 days have passed and the estate is $100,000 or under after encumbrances, excluding the homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be available under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise, prepare a full administration petition.
- Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms. For a will case, the packet usually starts with the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative. For an intestate estate, it usually starts with the petition for appointment of administrator. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- Call the Howard County Courthouse before filing to confirm whether the circuit clerk at (870) 845-7500, ext. 5, or the county clerk at (870) 845-7500, ext. 2, accepts probate filings. Bring or mail the packet to the Howard County Courthouse, 421 North Main Street, Room 10, Nashville, AR 71852.
- Pay the opening fee or ask about a fee waiver. Opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, reprinted effective March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009. A person allowed to proceed in forma pauperis under Rule 72 may ask the court about waiver of those filing charges.
- Give notice and watch for hearing instructions. Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, a hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal after the required acceptance and any bond step have been satisfied, under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- After letters are granted, publish the notice of appointment and serve copies on heirs, devisees and known creditors as required by A.C.A. § 28-40-111. Claims are barred six months after the first publication if they are not properly presented under that statute.
- Administer and close the estate. The personal representative gathers assets, files any required inventory, addresses claims, pays valid debts and taxes, accounts to the court when required, distributes property and seeks discharge when the Howard County estate settlement is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Howard County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes statewide Official Probate Forms for the probate division, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Howard County filers should also include the statewide probate cover sheet.
No Howard County probate instruction page was available in the courthouse contacts used for this page. Before you file in Nashville, call the circuit clerk at (870) 845-7500, ext. 5, or the county clerk at (870) 845-7500, ext. 2, to ask which counter accepts probate filings and whether the clerk wants any local cover instruction.
Local nuance
Howard County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Separate clerk offices | Howard County is not listed as a combined circuit and county clerk county. The circuit clerk and county clerk are separate courthouse offices. |
| One courthouse switchboard | Both offices use (870) 845-7500. The circuit clerk is reached at ext. 5, and the county clerk is reached at ext. 2. |
| Probate filing counter | The listed Howard County contacts do not identify which office acts as probate clerk for decedent estates. Call both extensions before mailing or bringing a filing. |
| Nashville place name | The courthouse is in Nashville, Arkansas. Do not use Tennessee court forms, filing addresses or procedures for a Howard County estate settlement. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole statewide Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. It is income-restricted and may not take estate matters. |
| December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary's eFlex electronic filing rejection policy took effect for filings made through efile.arcourts.gov. |
| June 5, 2026 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced that subscription-based payments in eFlex would end, with other payment methods remaining available. |
| 2026 | Public case lookup is through Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Howard County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | First determine how the home was titled and whether any asset still needs court authority. If a probate filing is needed, call the Nashville courthouse to confirm the correct clerk counter before filing in the Howard County Circuit Court, probate division. The affidavit route may be available for qualifying assets under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but title and creditor issues should be reviewed carefully. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and title questions so the spouse can decide whether an estate settlement filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If, as of August 2026, 45 days have passed and the estate meets A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the probate clerk, and certified copies are then used with banks or others holding property. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about filing by mail and ask the judge's staff before any hearing whether phone or video attendance will be considered. | Sunset can organize the asset list, generate the probate packet and help the child connect with a local attorney if the clerk or a bank requires more than the affidavit. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | A home sale often requires clear authority from the court or a recorded affidavit path that satisfies the title company. The A.C.A. § 28-41-101 affidavit can reach real property in qualifying estates, but real property triggers publication within 30 days after filing and a three-month claims window. If a sale needs letters, file a full administration petition in Howard County after confirming the clerk counter. | Sunset helps collect property, mortgage and account information, prepares the filing packet and connects the parent with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney when a sale is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Howard County courthouse clerks | Call to confirm the probate filing counter, current hours, mailing instructions, copy charges and any local cover instruction. | Circuit clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 5. County clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 2. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Statewide probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet for Arkansas circuit court probate division filings. | https://www.arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including a small-estate packet that explains the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information for Arkansas circuit courts. Document availability depends on the court. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide civil legal aid intake for eligible Arkansans. It may not take estate administration matters, but eligible families can ask about available help. | 1-800-952-9243, https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful in Howard County when the filing counter is unclear, the will may be contested, heirs disagree, real estate must be sold, a title company wants letters, a creditor issue is expected or the personal representative lives outside Arkansas. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 financial institutions to help build the asset picture before the Howard County estate settlement filing begins.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into a county-ready packet using Arkansas probate forms, the probate cover sheet and the local courthouse details for Nashville.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves real estate, family conflict, creditor issues or questions about which clerk counter accepts the filing, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find assets and understand the next step without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Howard County, Arkansas?
File at the Howard County Courthouse, 421 North Main Street, Room 10, Nashville, AR 71852, in the probate division of the Howard County Circuit Court. Call before filing because Howard County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, and the listed courthouse contacts do not identify which counter accepts probate filings. Circuit clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 5. County clerk: (870) 845-7500, ext. 2.
Which judicial circuit is Howard County in?
Howard County is in Arkansas's Ninth West Judicial Circuit. The circuit also includes other counties, but a Howard County probate case is filed at the Howard County courthouse in Nashville under the venue rule in A.C.A. § 28-40-102.
How much does it cost to open probate in Howard County?
Opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, reprinted effective March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 as of August 2026 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 as of August 2026 for each certified copy.
Can I e-file a Howard County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should call the Howard County clerk to ask whether that court will register the filer and, if not, how to file in person or by mail.
Can I look up a Howard County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide case information for Arkansas circuit courts. Some public documents may be linked for some records, but document availability depends on the court.
Are there Howard County probate forms?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Before filing in Nashville, call the clerk to ask whether Howard County wants any local cover instruction.
Will there be a hearing in a Howard County probate case?
Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, a hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases. If a hearing is set, ask the clerk how the judge handles attendance requests.
Do I have to travel to Nashville, Arkansas for probate?
Not always. Filing by mail may be available, and attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If the court sets a hearing, ask the clerk or the judge's staff before making travel plans whether phone or video attendance will be considered.
What is the deadline to start probate in Howard County?
Arkansas law sets an outside filing deadline. No will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years from death, subject to the exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103. After letters are granted, creditor claims are barred six months after first publication if not properly presented 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.