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Izard County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Izard County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Izard County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Izard County and Circuit Clerk, combined office |
| Courthouse address | 80 East Main Street, Melbourne, AR 72556 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 95, Melbourne, AR 72556 |
| Phone | 870-368-4316 |
| Fax | 870-368-4748 |
| Hours | Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| 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, last reprinted with that amount by 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee 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 is $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current as of August 2026. |
| Local forms | The county page points to the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide probate forms and cover sheet. No Izard County-specific probate packet is listed in the local materials described for this office. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Izard County and Circuit Clerk whether the court will register them for electronic filing, and can otherwise use the courthouse or mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides free statewide case information. Document availability depends on the court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk before any hearing whether the circuit judge permits phone or video participation and whether the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit administrative plan gives more instructions. |
| Website | https://www.izardcountyar.org/circuit-county-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Melbourne, identify the assets, debts, beneficiary designations, jointly owned property, and any will. That first inventory shapes whether the Izard County estate settlement needs full administration or whether an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be available under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions so families can locate accounts before they prepare a probate packet. That can prevent an Izard County estate settlement from being opened with missing bank, retirement, insurance, or debt information.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File Izard County probate matters at the Izard County Courthouse in Melbourne, with the Izard County and Circuit Clerk serving as the local probate clerk for the probate division of the Izard County Circuit Court. Izard County is in Arkansas's Sixteenth Judicial Circuit with Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, and Stone Counties, but an Izard County case is filed at the Izard County courthouse.
Arkansas venue for probate of a will or administration is generally the county where the decedent resided at death. If the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, the statute looks to where the greater part in value of Arkansas property is located, where the decedent died if there was no Arkansas residence or property, or where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative if the decedent had no Arkansas residence or property and died outside Arkansas (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). The first legally commenced proceeding controls unless the circuit court transfers the case under the statute.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, a list of heirs and beneficiaries, and a working inventory of assets and debts.
- Check timing before you file. Arkansas generally requires an application to admit a will to probate or grant administration within five years after death (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the local filing path. If 45 days have passed since death and the estate fits the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee requirements, including the $100,000 value rule measured less encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, use A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise, prepare a petition for full administration.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate form that fits the case and include the statewide probate cover sheet. For a will case, the form set includes the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative. For an intestate case, it includes the petition for appointment of administrator.
- File with the Izard County and Circuit Clerk at 80 East Main Street in Melbourne or by mailing the packet to P.O. Box 95, Melbourne, AR 72556. Pay the $165.00 opening fee, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted with that amount by 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009, or ask the court about a Rule 72 fee waiver.
- Ask the clerk how the judge handles the petition. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise is discretionary under A.C.A. § 28-40-110.
- 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 required bond steps are complete (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment, serve copies on heirs, devisees, and known creditors within one month after first publication, and serve the Department of Human Services when required. Creditor claims are barred six months from the first publication if not properly presented (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, addressing claims, paying expenses and taxes, filing required inventory or accounting papers, distributing property under the will or Arkansas law, and seeking final discharge when administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Izard County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes statewide probate forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, claims, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Izard County's local clerk page directs filers to the statewide court forms page and does not list a separate Izard County probate packet in the materials described for this office.
Use the statewide probate cover sheet with an opening filing. If you are filing by mail in Melbourne, call 870-368-4316 before sending the packet to confirm the number of copies, payment method, and whether the clerk wants any local handling instructions included.
Local nuance
Izard County-specific considerations
Izard County uses a combined Izard County and Circuit Clerk office, so families do not need to choose between separate circuit clerk and county clerk counters for probate filings. Use the clerk's Melbourne address and P.O. Box for Izard County estate settlement filings.
The county clerk page includes older public-resource links that should not control your filing plan. Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for case lookup, and use Legal Aid of Arkansas's current statewide intake information for civil legal help screening.
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole LSC funded civil legal aid provider statewide on January 1, 2026. |
| Electronic filing policy | The eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy at efile.arcourts.gov took effect December 9, 2025. |
| eFlex payments | Subscription-based payments in eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov end June 5, 2026. |
| Case lookup | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the public statewide case information portal. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Izard County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking title, beneficiary designations, mortgage status, and whether any assets still require court authority. Homestead and statutory allowances are part of the Arkansas analysis, and statutory allowances are addressed in A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps inventory accounts and property so the spouse can see what may pass outside probate and what may need an Izard County estate settlement filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the child may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, filed with the Izard County and Circuit Clerk, then use certified copies with banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about filing by mail, eFlex access, and any hearing logistics before traveling. | Sunset helps collect institution information, generate the packet, and identify when a local attorney would make the process easier from outside Arkansas. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property adds publication steps and a creditor window. A sale often needs letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, especially if a buyer, title company, or lender requires a personal representative. | Sunset helps organize asset and debt information, prepare the estate settlement packet, and connect the parent with a local probate attorney when a home sale needs court authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Izard County and Circuit Clerk | Local filing counter for probate papers in Melbourne, including filing questions, copies, and letters after appointment. | 870-368-4316, 80 East Main Street, Melbourne, AR 72556, https://www.izardcountyar.org/circuit-county-clerk |
| Arkansas Judiciary probate forms | Statewide official probate forms and the probate cover sheet used for Arkansas circuit court filings. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including small-estate materials that track A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information for Arkansas circuit courts. Document access depends on the court. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-restricted civil legal aid screening. Its published priorities may not include estate administration, so call to ask about eligibility and available help. | 1-800-952-9243, https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring an Arkansas probate attorney if the will may be contested, heirs disagree, the estate includes real property that must be sold, creditors are active, a nonresident personal representative needs help with local procedure, or you are unsure 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 more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families locate accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property before an Izard County estate settlement filing begins.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the information you provide to help assemble the Arkansas probate forms, cover sheet, and supporting documents for the path that fits the estate.
Find a local probate attorney. When an Izard County estate settlement needs legal judgment, a real property sale, creditor strategy, or help with a contested matter, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps, and decide whether to file themselves or work with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Izard County?
File with the Izard County and Circuit Clerk at 80 East Main Street in Melbourne, or mail the packet to P.O. Box 95, Melbourne, AR 72556. The case is in the probate division of the Izard County Circuit Court.
What is the probate filing fee in Izard County?
The fee to open a decedent's estate is $165.00, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted with that amount by 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. An affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current as of August 2026.
Does Izard County have its own probate forms?
The local clerk page points to the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide probate forms and cover sheet. The local materials described for the Izard County and Circuit Clerk do not list a separate Izard County probate checklist or packet.
Can I e-file an Izard County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are representing yourself, ask the Izard County and Circuit Clerk whether the court will register you for electronic filing in this case, or whether you should file in person or by mail.
Will I have a hearing in Izard County probate?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise is discretionary under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Call the clerk to ask how the judge is handling your specific petition.
Can I attend an Izard County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Izard County and Circuit Clerk before the hearing. Phone or video participation depends on the circuit judge and any instructions in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit administrative plan.
How do I look up an Izard County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides free statewide case information, while document availability depends on the court.
Do I have to travel to Melbourne for an Izard County estate settlement?
Not always for every step. You can ask the clerk about mailing filings, eFlex access for your situation, certified copies, and any hearing instructions 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.