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Van Buren County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Van Buren County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Van Buren County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse address | Van Buren County Courthouse Annex, 273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton, AR 72031 |
| Probate filings go to | Call ahead before filing. The county has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, and the county website does not state which counter serves as probate clerk for decedent estates. Circuit clerk: 273 Main Street, Suite 2, Clinton, AR 72031, (501) 745-4140. County clerk: county website lists 1400 Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031, (501) 745-6995. A county association directory lists the county clerk at 1414 Hwy. 65 S., Suite 128, Clinton, AR 72031, so confirm the current counter before traveling or mailing papers. |
| Mailing address | Call the clerk before mailing probate papers because Van Buren County has not posted a separate probate mailing address online. |
| Phone | Circuit clerk: (501) 745-4140. County clerk: (501) 745-6995. Call both if you are not sure which counter is accepting a probate filing. |
| Fax | Circuit clerk: (501) 745-7400. County clerk: (501) 745-6976. |
| Hours | The county website lists both offices as open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call about lunch closures, filing cutoffs, and holiday changes. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, current as of August 2026, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee last reprinted by 2013 Act 282, effective March 6, 2013, under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, plus the $15.00 court technology fee created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009, and reprinted unchanged in 2025 Acts 371 and 989 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. A small estate affidavit filing is $25.00, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Ask the Van Buren County clerk whether any local instruction sheet is required. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the clerk whether that court will register them for electronic filing, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if the clerk directs that. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov provides statewide circuit court case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk before planning to attend by phone or video. The circuit judge and the Twentieth Judicial Circuit administrative plan control that practice. |
| Website | Van Buren County government: https://www.vanburencountyar.gov/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Clinton, list the assets, debts, titles, beneficiary designations, and accounts that may be part of the estate settlement. That first inventory helps you decide whether the Arkansas affidavit route or a full administration is the better fit.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help identify accounts before you choose forms, request letters, or call the Van Buren County clerk. A more complete asset picture makes the local estate settlement conversation shorter and less error-prone.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Van Buren County is filed in Clinton in the probate division of the Van Buren County Circuit Court, part of Arkansas's Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Because the county has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices and the county website does not say which counter serves as probate clerk for decedent estates, call the circuit clerk at (501) 745-4140 and the county clerk at (501) 745-6995 before you file.
Arkansas venue for probate and administration is generally the county where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent was not an Arkansas resident, venue can depend on where the Arkansas property is located, where the person died, or where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). A proceeding first legally commenced reaches the estate property in Arkansas, and a misfiled case can be transferred rather than restarted.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if one exists, deeds, account statements, debts, and names and addresses for heirs and devisees.
- Check the Arkansas outer deadline. No will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years from the decedent's death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the filing path. If 45 days have passed since death and the estate qualifies after encumbrances, with the homestead and statutory allowances excluded, an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be available under A.C.A. §§ 28-41-101 and 28-39-101. Otherwise, prepare a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative, or a petition for appointment of administrator.
- Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and attach the statewide probate cover sheet. Call the Van Buren County circuit clerk and county clerk before filing to confirm which counter takes decedent estate papers.
- File in Clinton with the probate clerk of the Van Buren County Circuit Court. Pay the $165.00 opening fee, current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. §§ 21-6-403 and 21-6-416, or ask the court about proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 72 if payment is not possible. If using the affidavit route, pay the $25.00 filing fee and any $5.00 certified-copy charge, current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
- The court may set a hearing. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or if a demand for notice is on file; otherwise the court may act on the papers or set a hearing (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the Twentieth Judicial Circuit handles phone or video requests for your specific hearing.
- After the court appoints the personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal when the required acceptance and any required bond steps are complete (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment promptly after letters are granted. Within one month after first publication, serve copies on known heirs, devisees, known or reasonably ascertainable unpaid creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required. Claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, handling creditor claims, paying approved debts and taxes, keeping records, and preparing any inventory or accounting the court requires.
- Close the estate by seeking approval for final distribution and discharge after administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Van Buren County
Arkansas publishes statewide Official Probate Forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, claim forms, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Arkansas also uses a statewide probate cover sheet.
Van Buren County does not post a dedicated probate forms page on the county website. Use the statewide forms, then call the circuit clerk and county clerk before filing to confirm which Clinton counter accepts probate papers and whether a local instruction sheet is required.
Local nuance
Van Buren County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Clinton, not the city of Van Buren | Van Buren County's courthouse location is Clinton. The city of Van Buren is in Crawford County, which is a different county and a different judicial circuit. |
| Call both clerk offices before filing | The county website lists separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, but it does not say which counter serves as probate clerk for decedent estates. Circuit clerk: (501) 745-4140. County clerk: (501) 745-6995. |
| County clerk address mismatch | The county website lists the county clerk at 1400 Highway 65 South, Clinton. A county association directory lists 1414 Hwy. 65 S., Suite 128, Clinton. Confirm the current location before traveling. |
Recent updates
| Change | What it means for Van Buren County families |
|---|---|
| Legal Aid of Arkansas became the only Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal-aid provider statewide on January 1, 2026. | Use Legal Aid of Arkansas's statewide intake number, 1-800-952-9243, to ask about eligibility. Do not assume it can take an estate matter. |
| The eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect December 9, 2025. | Attorneys and any approved electronic filer should follow eFlex requirements at efile.arcourts.gov. |
| eFlex subscription billing ends June 5, 2026. | Other payment methods remain available through the Arkansas Judiciary e-filing portal. |
| Search ARCourts is the statewide case-information portal. | Use caseinfo.arcourts.gov for public circuit court case information, including probate case information when available. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Van Buren County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by reviewing how the deed is titled and whether any assets remain in the decedent's name alone. If probate is needed, call both Clinton clerk offices to confirm the correct filing counter before preparing the petition or affidavit. | Sunset helps locate accounts, organize title information, and prepare an estate settlement checklist before you file. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate (A.C.A. § 28-41-101) | If the Arkansas affidavit route fits and 45 days have passed, file the affidavit with the probate clerk in Clinton and use certified copies for banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about Form 9, Designation of Process Agent, and about phone or video attendance for any hearing. | Sunset helps identify accounts, generate the form packet, and connect you with local counsel if travel or authority questions come up. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit route can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property triggers publication after filing and a creditor window. A sale often works more smoothly with letters issued after appointment, so discuss the planned sale with a probate attorney before filing. | Sunset helps gather asset details, organize sale-related documents, and find a Van Buren County area probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Provides statewide probate forms and the probate cover sheet used for Arkansas probate filings. |
| Arkansas Law Help | Offers public legal information, including a small-estate packet tied to the affidavit process under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Search ARCourts | Provides statewide circuit court case information at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Document availability varies by court. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide civil legal-aid intake is 1-800-952-9243. Ask about eligibility and case priorities, and do not assume an estate matter will be accepted. |
| Van Buren County clerk contacts | Circuit clerk: (501) 745-4140. County clerk: (501) 745-6995. Call before filing to confirm the current probate counter and address. |
When to hire an attorney
A probate attorney is especially useful when the will may be contested, real property must be sold, creditor claims are uncertain, family members disagree, the personal representative lives outside Arkansas, or the Van Buren County filing counter is unclear. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may belong in the estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the asset list and family details into an organized probate packet, using Arkansas probate forms and the Van Buren County filing plan you confirm with the clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney who understands filings in the circuit court.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, find assets, and prepare next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Van Buren County, Arkansas?
File in Clinton with the probate division of the Van Buren County Circuit Court. Because the county has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices and the county website does not state which counter takes decedent estate filings, call the circuit clerk at (501) 745-4140 and the county clerk at (501) 745-6995 before you file.
Is Van Buren County probate filed in the city of Van Buren?
No. Van Buren County's seat is Clinton. The city of Van Buren is in Crawford County, so do not use Crawford County courthouse information for a Van Buren County estate.
Can I e-file a Van Buren County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the clerk whether that court will register them for electronic filing, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if directed.
How much does it cost to open probate in Van Buren County?
The opening fee is $165.00, current as of August 2026. That total is the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted by 2013 Act 282, effective 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, and reprinted unchanged in 2025 Acts 371 and 989. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is $25.00, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Does Van Buren County have its own probate forms?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and probate cover sheet. Before filing, ask the Clinton clerk which counter accepts probate papers and whether Van Buren County requires any local instruction sheet.
Will I have to attend a hearing in Van Buren County?
Arkansas law requires a hearing if the petition is opposed or if a demand for notice is on file; otherwise the court may set a hearing or may act without one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how your judge wants any hearing handled.
Can I attend a Van Buren County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask before making travel plans. Phone or video attendance depends on the circuit judge and the Twentieth Judicial Circuit administrative plan.
How do I look up a Van Buren County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. It provides statewide circuit court case information, and document availability varies by court.
Is there a deadline to open probate in Arkansas?
Yes. No will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years from the decedent's death, subject to statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
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.