Arkansas Household Paperwork Bundle: 4 Kits in One Download (AR Executor and Estate Kit, Arkansas Small Claims Kit, Arkansas POA Signing Kit, Arkansas Will Signing Kit)

Who it is for

Families in Arkansas getting papers in order: signing a power of attorney or will, settling an estate, or taking a money dispute to small claims.

Not the right fit if

You only need one of these papers (buy that kit on its own), or nothing is in Arkansas. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• 4 kits for 30% less than buying them one by one; each keeps its own folder in the download.
• The Arkansas kits are built only from our Arkansas data files: Sources, checked November 2026: Nolo (secondary source): Probate Shortcuts in Arkansas (Nolo, updated 4/24/2024); Arkansas Judiciary official probate form 23: Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee; Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate (Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk, as of January 1, 2019); Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023); Arkansas small claims data file, checked November 2026 against Arkansas Attorney General: Guide to Small Claims Court; Arkansas power of attorney data file, checked November 2026 against Act 805 of 2011, Uniform Power of Attorney Act (Arkansas General Assembly); Act 804 of 2021, amending the statutory form at Ark. Code 28-68-301 (Arkansas General Assembly); Arkansas will signing data file, checked November 2026 against Norwood v. Sellers, 2009 Ark. App. 497, quoting Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Arkansas Judiciary); Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Arkansas (Nolo, updated May 2023).
• Every kit in the set is written for Arkansas.

What is inside

• Arkansas Executor and Estate Kit. 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). Real estate counts toward the value, and the procedure can reach it. 45 days. More than 45 days after the death. Signed before a notary. Sworn before a notary public: the Pulaski County Clerk's version of the affidavit ends with a notary's jurat. 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. Form 23, Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee. The state judiciary's official probate form, with the clerk's certificate on it. 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. The homestead and the statutory allowances for the surviving spouse or minor children are left out of the $100,000. At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009. 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). 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). Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk. Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $100,000, dates day 45 after the death and counts real estate in the person's name.
• Arkansas Small Claims Court Kit. In Arkansas, small claims (Small claims division of the district court) cover claims up to $5,000. From the official page: The Attorney General's guide describes disputes of less than $5,000. Where and how to file, from the official pages: The county where a defendant currently lives, or the county where the defendant was to perform the obligation. Fees: filing fee, typical low end: $30 (varies by court); filing fee, typical high end: $65 (varies by court). The Attorney General's guide says the clerk's filing fee typically varies between $30 and $65, plus the cost of service. Ask your district court clerk for the exact amount. How to use the kit, the 7 confirmed Arkansas facts at a glance, a short look-up list (lawyers at the hearing, online filing) with the page to check, and a yes/no checklist: is the amount under $5,000, is it the right court, is there someone to serve and something to collect from. Service: Usually by certified mail, by the sheriff, or by another authorized person. The plaintiff pays for service. Appeal: Within 30 days of the judgment, in the circuit court of the county where the case was heard. Another filing fee applies and a bond may be required.
• Arkansas Power of Attorney Signing Kit. Get your Arkansas power of attorney signed the way the state's own law describes. A signature is presumed genuine if acknowledged before a notary; the section doesn't make notarization a condition of validity. Step by step in signing order: statutory form: Start from the official form: Statutory form power of attorney (Ark; notary: Notarizing isn't a condition of validity here, but do it anyway; witnesses: The general execution section has no witness requirement; two witnesses appear only in the separate judge-approval method (28-68-304); agent's acknowledgment: No signed acceptance is required before acting; recording for real estate: The act requires recording only for judge-approved powers (28-68-307), not for an ordinary power of attorney; durable after incapacity: Durable unless the document says incapacity ends it. Notary: "A signature on a power of attorney is presumed to be genuine if the principal acknowledges the signature" Witnesses: "In the presence of at least two (2) witnesses who shall attest and prove the execution by affidavit." Agent's acknowledgment: "a person accepts appointment as an agent under a power of attorney by exercising authority or performing duties" Recording for real estate: "shall be recorded in the office of the recorder of each county in which real property to be affected" Durable after incapacity: "unless it expressly provides that it is terminated by the incapacity of the principal" Recording: The act requires recording only for judge-approved powers (28-68-307), not for an ordinary power of attorney. Agent: An agent accepts by acting or by other conduct showing acceptance. Plus a copies log.
• Arkansas Will Signing Day Kit. Bring 2 witnesses. The rule: At least two witnesses, per the statute as quoted by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 2009. Pick witnesses who get nothing under the will and aren't married to someone who does. If a beneficiary would have to witness, stop and call the lawyer first: Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk. Have a notary there for the self-proving affidavit. The official page we read names a notary public. 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). The rule here: Use witnesses who get nothing under the will: Nolo reads 28-25-102 as putting a witness-beneficiary's gift at risk. The testator signs (or acknowledges the signature) while the witnesses watch, then each witness signs. Steps, ID, copies and review dates. Remote witnessing in Arkansas: No: witnesses must be physically present when the testator signs or acknowledges the will, per Nolo's Arkansas page (updated May 2023), and no statute provides for e-wills. Electronic wills: No statute for e-wills yet; Nolo's Arkansas guide (May 2023) says a will must be a paper document. Where the original is and who has copies. Handwritten wills in Arkansas: 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).