Arkansas Last Will and Testament Form

An Arkansas last will is a written document that states how a person’s property passes after death and who will carry out those wishes, made valid under Ark. Code Ann. §§ 28-25-101 to 28-25-109.

Arkansas law requires the testator to be at least 18 years old and of sound mind, to sign the will, and to have two qualified witnesses sign in the testator’s presence.[1.1][1.3] This free Arkansas will template covers those signing and witness rules, along with step-by-step instructions for completing it.

Arkansas Last Will and Testament Template

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Table of Contents
  1. Arkansas Last Will Laws and Requirements
  2. How to Create an Arkansas Last Will
  3. Create an Arkansas Last Will
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Last Will and Testament Forms for Other States
  6. Sources

Arkansas Last Will Laws and Requirements

Arkansas last will requirements come from Title 28 – Wills, Estates, and Fiduciary Relationships; Chapter 25 – Execution and Revocation of the Ark. Code Ann. A valid will needs a testator of sound mind who is at least 18, the testator’s signature, and two attesting witnesses who sign in the testator’s presence.[1.1][1.3] A holographic (handwritten) will, also known as a will written in the testator’s own proper handwriting, is also recognized under state law.[1.4]

Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Arkansas law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.

Requirements State laws
Definitions 28-1-102. Definitions
Signing requirement Two witnesses 28-25-103. Execution generally
Age of testator 18 and older 28-25-101. Who may make wills.
Age of witnesses 28-25-102. Witnesses.
Self-proving wills Allowed 28-25-106. Self-proving witness statement.
Handwritten wills Recognized if meeting certain conditions 28-25-104. Holographic wills generally.
Oral wills Not recognized 28-25-103. Execution generally
Holographic wills Recognized if meeting certain conditions 28-25-104. Holographic wills generally.
Depositing a will Possible with the Circuit court of an Arkansas county 28-25-108. Deposit of will with court in testator’s lifetime
  • The testator’s signature must appear at the end of the will, or someone else may sign there for the testator, at the testator’s direction and in their presence.[1.3]
  • An interested witness, someone who is also named as a beneficiary, may still sign the will, but forfeits anything beyond what they would have received without a will, unless two other qualified disinterested witnesses also sign. This rule guards the estate against undue influence by a witness who stands to gain from it.[1.2]
  • A will made outside Arkansas still passes property here if it followed Arkansas’s own § 28-25-101 through § 28-25-104, the execution rules of the place where it was signed, or the law of the testator’s domicile at the time of signing, giving it the same force and effect as a will made in Arkansas.[1.5]

A will does not have to be notarized to be valid in Arkansas, but any attesting witness may sign a self-proving affidavit before a notary, so your witnesses will not have to testify in probate court after you pass away.[1.6]

How to Create an Arkansas Last Will

Follow these seven steps to complete an Arkansas last will using FormsPal’s free template or the online document builder. Each step notes what the form asks for and why Arkansas law calls for it.

  1. Think about your options. Decide whether to hire a lawyer or make your will yourself, either handwriting it as a holographic will or using a free last will form.
  2. Enter your information. Fill in your full legal name and address, including city, county, and state of residence, to identify the testator of the will.step 2 filling out an arkansas last will form
  3. Name your executor. Enter the full legal name, city, county, and state of residence of the executor you want to carry out your will. Arkansas has special rules for out-of-state representatives, so it is best to name someone who lives in the same state as you. You can also name a backup executor in case your first choice is unable to serve.step 3 filling out an arkansas last will form
  4. Name a guardian (optional). If you have minor or dependent children, you can name a guardian for them here instead of leaving that choice to a court.step 4 filling out an arkansas last will form
  5. List your beneficiaries. Enter the full names, places of residence, and your relationship to each person you want to leave your property to, such as a spouse, child, or friend.
  6. Describe your property. List your assets, such as real estate, bank accounts, stocks, business interests, and other property of value, and how you want each one divided among your beneficiaries if not split evenly. Some property, such as jointly held assets and life insurance with a named beneficiary, cannot be distributed through the will.step 5 6 filling out an arkansas last will form
  7. Sign with two witnesses. Arkansas law requires two witnesses who are at least 18 years old and who are not named as beneficiaries in the will. Review the terms of the will carefully, then sign it together with your witnesses, who must also sign in your presence.step 7 filling out an arkansas last will form

Consider choosing witnesses younger than you, since they are more likely to be available to testify if the will is ever contested in court.

Create an Arkansas Last Will

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Arkansas will form valid without notarization?

A will does not need to be notarized to be valid in Arkansas. You can still make it self-proving by attaching a sworn statement signed by your witnesses before a notary, so they will not have to testify in probate.[1.6] Making your will self-proving speeds up the probate process and adds certainty if its validity is ever challenged.


Can you leave out your children or spouse from a last will and testament?

In Arkansas, there’s not such a concept as community or marital property. This means that all the assets gathered or increased during the marriage are not required to be evenly devolved to both spouses. You can leave your spouse out of the will, but Arkansas law implies that your spouse is entitled to a certain minimum amount of your property.

Regarding other members of the family, it is possible to lawfully disinherit anyone else. Your children no younger than 18 or any other members of the family can be legally disinherited absolutely in your last will. To do that, include particular paragraphs to the last will.


Is it possible to change my last will without my assent?

Only the testator can change their will. There is only one situation when a third party is permitted to get involved: if you are physically unable to sign, another person may sign your will for you, but only at your direction and in your presence.[1.3]


Can a signed, typewritten will be revised in Arkansas?

Arkansas law allows two ways to revoke a will. The first is by making a later will that revokes the earlier one, in whole or in part. The second is by burning, tearing, canceling, or otherwise destroying it with intent to revoke it, done by you or by someone else in your presence and at your direction.[1.7] You can also simply make a new will if no contract binds you otherwise.

It is common to revise your last will in the following situations:

  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Selling or purchasing real estate
  • Great changes in your financial position

What does one have to do in case they aren't physically able to sign his or her last will?

Arkansas law allows another person to sign your will for you, but only at your direction and in your presence.[1.3] You can communicate that direction verbally, by answering a direct question, or through a clear gesture, as long as it shows which person you want to sign for you.


Related documents Times when you may want to create one
Codicil You need to slightly change your last will without writing a new one.
Self-proving affidavit You wish the probate to be quicker when it’s necessary.
Living will You want to declare your wishes about the end-of-life health care and life-prolonging procedures.
Living trust You would like to look at an alternative to a will.

Last Will and Testament Forms for Other States

This page is general information about Arkansas last wills, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to an Arkansas attorney.

Sources

  1. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 28-25-101 to 28-25-109.
    • 1.1 § 28-25-101
    • 1.2 § 28-25-102
    • 1.3 § 28-25-103
    • 1.4 § 28-25-104
    • 1.5 § 28-25-105
    • 1.6 § 28-25-106
    • 1.7 § 28-25-109
Published: Aug 23, 2022
Mara Erlach
Mara Erlach
Writer & Attorney
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.