---
title: "Arkansas Executor Checklist: First 30 Days | MCC Solutions"
description: "Arkansas executor checklist: first 30 days, up to $100,000 small estate limit, 45-day wait, notarized affidavit, 2 will witnesses, official court links."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/arkansas-executor-checklist"
---

Executor checklist · Arkansas

# Arkansas executor and estate paperwork checklist

The first 30 days, the small estate route, the will at probate, and the official pages to ask, from this state's own court and statute pages.

**Quick answer.** In the first 30 days, an executor in Arkansas orders certified death certificates, finds the original will, secures the home, car and mail, lists what the person owned and owed, and holds off on paying debts until it's clear who has authority. For the small estate route, Arkansas's official pages give a limit of up to $100,000, a 45-day wait after the death and a notarized affidavit; it goes through the court.

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**Short answer.** Arkansas: up to $100,000 small estate limit; 45-day wait; notarized affidavit; filed through the court; 2 will witnesses; self-proving affidavit allowed. 12 of 12 state facts below are confirmed on official pages.

**This is an organizer, not legal advice.** An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

## The first 30 days

Plain steps that apply wherever the person lived, with the small estate dates for this state. Ticks stay on your screen only.

- **Get several certified copies of the death certificate**The funeral home can usually order them, or the vital records office can. Each bank, insurer and pension plan may ask for its own.
- **Make sure Social Security knows**Funeral homes generally report the death. If not, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A surviving spouse, or some children if there's no spouse, may get a one-time $255 payment.
- **Find the original will**Look for the signed original and any codicils (later changes). Keep the original safe and unaltered; make copies for yourself.
- **Check the will for a self-proving affidavit**Look for a notarized statement by the witnesses attached to the will; this state allows one (see below).
- **Keep the house and vehicles safe**Tell the insurer about the death so coverage stays in place, take photos of what's inside, and redirect the mail.
- **Hold off on paying debts or giving things away**Wait until you know which route applies and who has authority. If something can't wait, ask the probate clerk or an attorney.
- **Know that a power of attorney has ended**A power of attorney ends when the principal dies; the agent's authority stops there.
- **Write down every asset and debt**For each, record whose name it's in and whether a beneficiary or co-owner is listed; those usually go straight to that person.
- **Check the total against $100,000**The official page's small estate figure. Leave out anything the page says isn't counted.
- **Count 45 days from the death**That's when the official page says the small estate paperwork can be used.
- **Open a simple money log**One line per payment or deposit, with the date, who, how much and the receipt. It makes the final accounting easy.
- **When appointed, get an EIN and open an estate account**Pay estate bills from that account only. Form 1041 is due if the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year (IRS).

Sources for the federal steps: [Social Security Administration: When someone dies](https://ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies) · [IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041)](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/deceased-taxpayers-filing-the-estate-income-tax-return-form-1041) · power of attorney: [Power of attorney at a real estate closing](/notary/guides/power-of-attorney-at-a-real-estate-closing).

## The small estate route

- #### ConfirmedSmall estate limit The estate, not counting the homestead and the statutory allowances for the surviving spouse or minor children, can't be more than $100,000. Real estate other than the homestead counts; when there's real estate, notice must be published within 30 days after filing (Nolo's summary)."one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000)" Source: [Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedReal estate Real estate counts toward the value, and the procedure can reach it. Source: [Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedWaiting period after the death 45 days. More than 45 days after the death."More than forty-five (45) days have elapsed since decedent's death." Sources: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf); [Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html); [Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019)](https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Affidavit-Small-Estate-as-of-01.01.19.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedNotary or oath Signed before a notary. Sworn before a notary public: the Pulaski County Clerk's version of the affidavit ends with a notary's jurat."SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me" Source: [Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019)](https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Affidavit-Small-Estate-as-of-01.01.19.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes Through a court office. The affidavit is filed with the probate court; the clerk certifies a copy, and that certified copy is what banks and others act on."upon furnishing a copy of this Affidavit, certified by the clerk, to any person owing any money" Sources: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf); [Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html); [Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019)](https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Affidavit-Small-Estate-as-of-01.01.19.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedOfficial form Form 23, Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee. The state judiciary's official probate form, with the clerk's certificate on it. Source: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedSimplified court procedure Distribution without administration (Form 23): The small estate procedure itself: the affidavit is filed with the probate court, the clerk certifies it, and the holder releases the property on the certified copy. Source: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedSurviving spouse The homestead and the statutory allowances for the surviving spouse or minor children are left out of the $100,000."the homestead of and statutory allowances for the benefit of the surviving spouse or minor children" Sources: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf); [Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html); [Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019)](https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Affidavit-Small-Estate-as-of-01.01.19.pdf), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedWorth knowing The form has the distributee "state on oath" but no printed notary jurat; ask the probate clerk how it should be sworn. Source: [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf), checked November 2026

## The will at probate

Signing rules for wills, as they bear on getting the will accepted.

- #### ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009."the signature of the testator and of at least two (2) witnesses" Source: [Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary)](https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/courtofappeals/en/311274/1/document.do), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit Yes: a notary takes the sworn affidavit of the testator and both witnesses, which lets the court accept the will without calling them (Nolo on Ark. Code 28-25-106). Source: [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-make-will-31910.html), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten Recognized if the entire body and signature are in the testator's handwriting; three credible, disinterested witnesses must be able to establish the handwriting (Nolo, citing 28-25-104)."three credible, disinterested witnesses must be able to establish that it is your handwriting" Source: [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-make-will-31910.html), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedA witness who inherits Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk. Source: [Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-make-will-31910.html), checked November 2026

## Want us to handle it?

We order certified records, pick up and deliver documents, get the small estate affidavit signed and notarized, and file papers near where the estate is, in any state. We are not lawyers.

**Price:** Quote-based, from $199 per job plus government and court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.

[Ask for estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state#request)

## Documents to gather

- Certified death certificates
- The original will and any codicils
- Deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles and registrations
- Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
- Life insurance policies and annuities
- The last few years of tax returns
- Recent bills, loan and credit card statements
- Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
- Safe deposit box location and keys
- The official small estate form: Form 23, Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee

## Who to notify

Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer, Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone. Write once to each, enclose a death certificate copy, and record the reply.

## Documents needed abroad

- #### ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division. $10 per apostille; $5 per certification (non-Hague countries). Vital records: A certified copy from the Arkansas Department of Health's Vital Records office. Source: [Arkansas Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services Division](https://sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs/for-apostille-certification), checked November 2026

## Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for Arkansas:

- [Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee](https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf)
- [Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024)](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-probate-shortcuts-31747.html)
- [Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019)](https://media.ark.org/pulaskiclerk/Affidavit-Small-Estate-as-of-01.01.19.pdf)
- [Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary)](https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/courtofappeals/en/311274/1/document.do)

Arkansas kit

## Arkansas Executor and Estate Kit

This checklist as printable Word and PDF files: a start-here guide, the first 30 days, the small estate route with its official links, a documents and accounts tracker, plain notification letters (bank, utilities, Social Security), and an Excel estate ledger for assets, debts, payments and distributions.

[Get the kit, $25](/toolkits/ar-executor-kit)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

## Common questions

**Is there a small estate route in Arkansas?**

On the official pages we read: The estate, not counting the homestead and the statutory allowances for the surviving spouse or minor children, can't be more than $100,000. Real estate other than the homestead counts; when there's real estate, notice must be published within 30 days after filing (Nolo's summary). Through a court office. The affidavit is filed with the probate court; the clerk certifies a copy, and that certified copy is what banks and others act on.

**How soon after the death can the Arkansas small estate paperwork be used?**

45 days. More than 45 days after the death.

**Does the small estate paperwork in Arkansas need a notary?**

Signed before a notary. Sworn before a notary public: the Pulaski County Clerk's version of the affidavit ends with a notary's jurat.

**Is there an official Arkansas form?**

Form 23, Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee. The state judiciary's official probate form, with the clerk's certificate on it. Link: https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/files-list/Form%2023.pdf

**How many witnesses did a will in Arkansas need?**

At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009.

**What about a self-proving affidavit in Arkansas?**

Yes: a notary takes the sworn affidavit of the testator and both witnesses, which lets the court accept the will without calling them (Nolo on Ark. Code 28-25-106).

**Who answers questions about an estate in Arkansas?**

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. The official pages behind this checklist: Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee. Remember the 45-day wait before the small estate route.

Related: [Executor guide by state](/notary/executor-guide-by-state) · [Will signing requirements](/notary/will-signing-requirements-arkansas) · [Apostille steps](/notary/apostille-arkansas) · [Estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state)

## Family far from the estate?

[See estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)