Access El Dorado Probate Records

El Dorado Probate Court Records are filed at the Union County Circuit Court, with the Union County Clerk serving as clerk to the probate court. The clerk's office is at 101 North Washington in El Dorado, the county seat. The clerks keep files for wills, estates, small estates, guardianships, adoptions, and commitments. You can search El Dorado Probate Court Records online through CourtConnect, walk in to the clerk, or mail a written request for copies. This page shows how to find a case, the fees, and how to get certified copies.

El Dorado Does Not Run Probate Court

The City of El Dorado does not run a probate court. No Arkansas city court has probate power. All El Dorado probate cases go to the Union County Circuit Court, and the County Clerk takes the intake paperwork.

Arkansas Circuit Courts have probate jurisdiction under § 28-1-104. Under § 28-1-106 the County Clerk is clerk to the probate court. The clerk files each instrument, keeps the index, and swears in witnesses when needed. District courts in the area do not hear probate cases.

Which County Handles El Dorado Probate Records

El Dorado is the county seat of Union County. Union County was set up in 1829. The county sits in the 13th Judicial Circuit. For the full guide to the county, see Union County probate records.

The Union County Clerk is at unioncountyar.com. The phone is (870) 864-1910. Marriage records and probate records run from 1846, so deep family research is possible. A view of the County Clerk page is below.

Browse the Union County Clerk home page at unioncountyar.com.

The page lists probate intake, fees, marriage records, and contact info for El Dorado Probate Court Records.

El Dorado Probate Court Records Office

The Union County Courthouse is at 101 North Washington in El Dorado, AR 71730. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The County Clerk files probate cases and takes the filing fee. The Circuit Clerk keeps the court docket and records.

The County Clerk's office in El Dorado keeps probate court records, small estates, guardianships, commitments, adoptions, and ministers credentials. The Clerk also serves as secretary of the Board of Equalization and keeps quorum court records. Staff can pull a file, make copies, and point out the right form.

Bring a photo ID. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, give the decedent's full name and year of death. Staff will search the index. Marriage licenses are cash only and cost $60. Certified copies are $5.

Search El Dorado Probate Court Records Online

CourtConnect is the free state search tool. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. Probate cases show case status, next hearing date, and a full docket of filings. The Administrative Office of the Courts runs the portal.

Start at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Pick the 13th Circuit, then Union County. No account is needed. Public access is open to anyone. For an easier second visit, the portal also sits at caseinfo.arcourts.gov.

The Arkansas Judiciary home page at arcourts.gov has court rules and notices. Full probate document images may require a visit to the clerk or a mail request.

El Dorado Probate Court Records Types

A Union County probate file can hold many papers. The case opens with a petition under § 28-40-107. The court admits the will, names a personal representative, and sets deadlines. The rep files an inventory within 60 days under § 28-48-101 and gives notice to creditors. Claims must come in within six months of first publication under § 28-40-111.

El Dorado Probate Court Records often include:

• The will and proof of will under § 28-40-117
• Letters testamentary or of administration
• Inventory and appraisal under § 28-48-201
• Creditor claims and orders under § 28-50-201
• Petitions for allowances and distributions
• Final accounts under § 28-52-101
• Orders of discharge

Intestate estates go by § 28-9-203. The homestead allowance is set by § 28-39-101 and the family allowance by § 28-39-201. A guardianship case runs under § 28-65-101, with 20-day notice under § 28-65-207. Adoption files are sealed by law. A will must be filed within five years of death under § 28-40-103.

El Dorado Probate Court Records Fees

The base filing fee for a new probate case in Union County is $165. A small estate affidavit under § 28-41-101 runs $25 plus $5 for the certified copy, for a total near $30. Wait at least 45 days after death to file a small estate. To reopen a closed probate case the fee is $50.

Copy fees at the clerk are simple. Plain copies run $0.25 per page. A certified copy is $5 per document. Letters testamentary and letters of guardianship certified copies are $5 each. Filing and recording all accounts and settlements runs about $50. Marriage licenses are $60, cash only.

The clerk takes cash or check at the counter. Some payments are cash only, so call ahead. Mail-in requests should include a check payable to the Union County Clerk along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. If your total goes above $25, Arkansas law may ask for payment in full up front, so include the check with your letter.

Request El Dorado Probate Court Records

You have three main ways to get El Dorado Probate Court Records.

In person: walk in to 101 North Washington in El Dorado during office hours. Ask for probate. Give staff the case name or number. Plain copies often happen the same visit. Certified copies take a few more minutes.

By mail: send a letter with case info, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check. Fee waivers may apply for non-commercial requests serving the public interest. If you do not have the case number, include the decedent's full name and year of death.

Online: start at CourtConnect to find the case. Then call the clerk for copy steps. Not every document is online.

Local Help for El Dorado Probate Records

Legal Aid of Arkansas covers Union County for low-income residents. They help with small estate affidavits and simple guardianships when the case fits. Reach them at arlegalaid.org. The Arkansas Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for a paid consult with a probate attorney.

For older files, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds microfilm of Union County probate and marriage records. Start at arkansasheritage.com. Many files are on FamilySearch, with links to microfilm reels and online indexes. The state code text is at law.justia.com.

Public Access to El Dorado Probate Court Records

Probate files in Union County are open to the public. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Order No. 19 back this up. You do not have to be an heir or a party. Walk in or mail a request to view the file.

Some items are held back. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and the names of minor children are redacted. Medical papers in a guardianship case may be limited to the parties. Adoption files are sealed by § 9-9-217. The rest of the file is open for public review.

Union County

El Dorado is the county seat of Union County. For the full county guide, see Union County probate records. El Dorado is the largest city in the region, so most nearby filings also route through this courthouse.