Skip to content
Oakclause

Living Will Requirements in Arkansas

An Arkansas living will declaration is signed in front of two witnesses, or, for declarations made on or after July 1, 2017, it may instead be notarized.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arkansas at a glance

Name of the document
Declaration (Living Will)
Witnesses
2 witnesses
Or a notary instead of witnesses
Notarization
Instead of witnesses

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arkansas

What is a living will called in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the document is called the Declaration (Living Will).

Does a living will need witnesses in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires two witnesses, or a notary instead.

Does a living will need to be notarized in Arkansas?

Only if you do not use witnesses. Arkansas accepts a notary as an alternative to witnesses.

Where do the Arkansas rules for living wills come from?

They come from Ark. Code 20-17-202. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas is one of 22 jurisdictions that accept a notary instead of witnesses.

What this means in practice

Give copies to your doctor, your health care agent and close family, and keep the original where it can be found quickly. A living will that nobody can find cannot help.

Many states have rules about who may serve as a witness, for example excluding relatives or your health care providers. Check the statute before you sign.

Review the document after a major diagnosis, a move to another state or a change in your wishes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.