Once you have filed your petition for probate in Arkansas, several steps will follow in the probate process. It’s essential to understand these steps to navigate the probate process more effectively.

Appoint the Personal Representative

The first two items of business are getting the will admitted to probate and getting the person you want as the executor appointed.

After the personal representative is appointed, he or she must accept the appointment and the court will issue letters of administration. Once the letters are filed with the court, the executor has the legal authority over estates. That means he or she has to comply with the law and manage the estate assets for the heirs.

Newspaper Notifications

The personal representative of the estate must provide notice to the decedent’s creditors through a widely distributed local newspaper. This notification informs creditors that they have the opportunity to file an estate claim if they are owed money. Publication of notice should occur weekly for two consecutive weeks, and known creditors should be directly contacted within 30 days.

Paying Estate Claims

During the probate process, the estate must approve, pay or deny creditor claims. Approved claims will be paid from the estate’s funds, while pay or denials may lead to a hearing through the probate court.

Final Accounting

As a personal representative of assets, you have a fiduciary responsibility to the estate, which includes maintaining transparency. You must submit a final estate accounting to the probate judge for review and approval. This is true unless a waiver has been signed any and filed each person in the family and all heirs.

Distributions

Once the final accounting is filed and approved, beneficiaries will receive their shares from the estate. It is crucial for the personal representative to act in good faith and distribute bequeathments according to the final court order. Failure to do so may result in heirs filing breach claims.