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Lee County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Lee County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Lee County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse | Lee County Courthouse, 15 East Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360 |
| Probate filing counter | Call before filing to confirm whether the Lee County Circuit Clerk or the Lee County Clerk will accept your probate papers. |
| Circuit clerk | 15 East Chestnut Street, Room 2, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7710. Fax: (870) 295-7712. |
| County clerk | 15 East Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. Phone: (870) 295-7715. Fax: (870) 295-7783. |
| Mailing address | Call the clerk before mailing probate filings, certified-copy requests, or original documents. |
| Hours | Call before you go to confirm current hours, lunch closures, and filing cutoffs. |
| Judicial circuit | Arkansas's First Judicial Circuit, serving Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff counties. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, 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. As of August 2026, a small-estate affidavit costs $25.00 to file, plus $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Ask the clerk whether Lee County wants any additional local instructions with your filing. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Lee County clerk whether that court will register them, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if directed. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide public case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk whether the circuit judge will allow a phone or video appearance and whether the First Judicial Circuit administrative plan has instructions. |
| Website | https://www.leecountyar.gov |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Marianna, list the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, digital accounts, and beneficiary designations. The correct estate settlement path depends on what is actually in the estate, what passes outside probate, and whether someone needs letters from the Lee County Circuit Court, probate division.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts and insurance before they choose a filing path. That makes the Lee County filing more complete and helps avoid reopening an estate settlement later.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Lee County is filed in Marianna in the probate division of the Lee County Circuit Court, which sits in Arkansas's First Judicial Circuit. The First Judicial Circuit also includes Cross, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff counties, but a Lee County estate is filed at the Lee County courthouse, not at another county's courthouse.
Arkansas venue for probate and administration is generally the county where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, the rule looks to the county with the greater value of Arkansas property, the county where the person died if there was no Arkansas residence or property, or a county 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, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than simply started over (A.C.A. § 28-40-102).
Lee County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk contact listings. Because the local public instructions available for Lee County do not identify which of those two counters serves as the probate clerk, call before you go and ask which clerk accepts decedent-estate filings for the probate division.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, asset information, debt information, and the names and addresses of heirs and devisees.
- Check timing. 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 filing path. As of August 2026, an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be available after 45 days if the estate is within the $100,000 amount, measured less encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances (A.C.A. § 28-41-101; A.C.A. § 28-39-101). Otherwise, prepare a full administration filing.
- 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. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- Call the Lee County Circuit Clerk at (870) 295-7710 or the Lee County Clerk at (870) 295-7715 before filing to confirm which counter accepts probate filings in Marianna and whether mailing is acceptable for your filing.
- File the petition and cover sheet at the correct Lee County clerk counter. As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, 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. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk how to request a Rule 72 waiver.
- Ask how the judge will handle the petition. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and otherwise the court may decide whether to set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110).
- After the circuit judge appoints a personal representative, file any required acceptance or bond paperwork. The clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment and serve copies as required. Creditor claims are barred six months from the first publication if not properly presented, and copies must be served on heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer and close the estate by collecting assets, preparing any inventory or accounting required by the court, addressing allowed claims and taxes, distributing property, and asking the court for final distribution and discharge.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Lee County
Probate forms in Lee County start with the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Those forms include petitions for appointment, proof of will, acceptance of appointment, 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 and A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
Before filing in Marianna, call the Lee County Circuit Clerk or the Lee County Clerk to confirm which counter accepts probate filings and whether Lee County wants any additional local instruction sheet, copy set, or cover note with the statewide forms.
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole statewide Legal Services Corporation funded provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. |
| December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy for eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov under Administrative Order No. 21. |
| June 5, 2026 | Subscription-based payment support ends in eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov, while other payment methods remain available. |
| Current public case lookup | Arkansas directs public case lookup to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Lee County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by confirming title to the Marianna-area home and any beneficiary designations. If the home passes outside probate, the Lee County filing may focus on accounts or other assets. If probate assets remain, the spouse may need a full administration or, as of August 2026, a small-estate affidavit if the requirements of A.C.A. § 28-41-101 are met. | Sunset helps find accounts, organize debts, identify which assets may need court authority, and prepare the estate settlement packet for the clerk. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate fits the $100,000 rule as of August 2026, the adult child may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee filed with the Lee County probate clerk, then use certified copies with banks or others holding property (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If letters are needed, ask the clerk about filing by mail and about any phone or video appearance process. | Sunset helps collect asset information, generate the Arkansas forms, and connect the family with Lee County counsel if letters or a hearing become necessary. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale of real estate often requires letters or a court order that a title company will accept. The Arkansas small-estate affidavit can include real property, but it has notice steps when real property is involved, so the parent should ask a Lee County attorney which route will support the sale (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). | Sunset helps organize the home, mortgage, liens, accounts, and family information so the attorney can choose the cleanest estate settlement path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Lee County Circuit Clerk | Call to ask whether this counter accepts probate division filings and to confirm hours, mailing instructions, certified-copy requests, and fax procedures. | (870) 295-7710. Fax: (870) 295-7712. 15 East Chestnut Street, Room 2, Marianna, AR 72360. |
| Lee County Clerk | Call to ask whether this counter accepts probate division filings and to confirm hours, mailing instructions, certified-copy requests, and fax procedures. | (870) 295-7715. Fax: (870) 295-7783. 15 East Chestnut Street, Marianna, AR 72360. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Provides statewide probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet used for Arkansas probate filings. | arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Provides public legal information, including a small-estate packet that tracks A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Lets the public search Arkansas circuit court case information online. Document availability varies by court. | caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-restricted civil legal services intake. Estate administration may fall outside its case priorities, so call to ask about eligibility and available help. | 1-800-952-9243. arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A Lee County probate attorney is especially useful when the family cannot tell which assets require letters, when heirs disagree, when real estate must be sold, when creditors are active, when the petitioner lives outside Arkansas, or when the clerk says a hearing may be needed. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 institutions to help identify accounts, insurance, and other assets that belong in the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into an organized Arkansas probate packet so you can file in Marianna with the correct statewide forms and cover sheet.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, a real estate sale, letters, or court hearing support, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, understand the next filing step, and decide when professional help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for someone who lived in Lee County, Arkansas?
File in Marianna with the probate division of the Lee County Circuit Court. Call the Lee County Circuit Clerk at (870) 295-7710 or the Lee County Clerk at (870) 295-7715 before you go to confirm which counter accepts probate filings.
Which clerk handles Lee County probate filings?
Lee County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk contact listings, and the available local public instructions do not identify the probate filing counter. Call either clerk before you travel or mail papers, and ask which clerk accepts filings for the probate division.
How much does it cost to open probate in Lee County?
As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00 statewide, 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. As of August 2026, filing a small-estate affidavit costs $25.00, plus $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Can I e-file a Lee County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Lee County clerk whether that court will register them for e-filing, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if the clerk directs that.
Can I look up a Lee County probate case online?
Yes. Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide public case information for Arkansas circuit courts. Some public court documents may be linked for some cases, but document access varies by court.
Will I have to attend a hearing in Marianna?
Not every petition is handled the same way. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise the court may decide whether to set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the judge will handle your filing.
Can I attend a Lee County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the clerk before the hearing date. Phone or video participation depends on the circuit judge and any First Judicial Circuit administrative plan instructions.
What forms do I need for Lee County probate?
Start with the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Then call the Lee County clerk to ask whether any local instruction sheet or extra copy set is needed for filings in Marianna.
Is there a deadline to start probate in Arkansas?
Yes. 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). Separate creditor deadlines apply after notice is published, including the six months claim period in 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.