Arkansas Will Signing Day Kit: Arkansas's Witness and Notary Rules, Signing-Day Checklist, Witness Sheet and Original-Will Record

Who it is for

Anyone signing a will in Arkansas, and the family member, friend or office helping set up the signing. Who can make a will, per the official page: Adults of sound mind, 18 and up, under Ark. Code 28-25-101 as Nolo summarizes it.

Not the right fit if

The person signing isn't in Arkansas, you still need the will written (that's a lawyer's job), or someone may contest it. Not a will form or a legal service.

Why it is different

• Built only from our 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).
• All 7 Arkansas facts are confirmed: on an official page, or where none could be read, on a vetted secondary source marked as such.
• Sources: https://opinions.arcourts.gov/ark/courtofappeals/en/311274/1/document.do https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arkansas-make-will-31910.html
• For the estate side in Arkansas, the 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).

What is inside

• Start here. The 7 confirmed Arkansas facts at a glance.
• Arkansas signing-day checklist. 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.
• Witness information sheet. One block per Arkansas witness (2 required, plus a spare).
• Original-will storage and location record. 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).
• Arkansas will signing tracker (Excel). 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.