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Will Contest Deadline in Arkansas

In Arkansas, a person notified of the will's admission must usually file objections within 3 months after the first publication of the notice of admission to probate, with up to 3 years after admission for others not otherwise barred.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arkansas at a glance

Deadline to contest
3 months
A person served a copy of the notice gets the later of 3 months or 45 days after service; others not otherwise barred get 3 years after admission.
Clock starts
First publication of notice of admission to probate
Someone given notice of the probate hearing must object at or before that hearing.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arkansas

How long do you have to contest a will in Arkansas?

Deadline to contest in Arkansas: 3 months. A person served a copy of the notice gets the later of 3 months or 45 days after service; others not otherwise barred get 3 years after admission.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Arkansas?

Clock starts in Arkansas: First publication of notice of admission to probate. Someone given notice of the probate hearing must object at or before that hearing.

Where do the Arkansas will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Ark. Code 28-40-113. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

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