Drew County Probate Court Records

Drew County Probate Court Records are filed at the County Clerk's office in Monticello, the county seat. The clerk keeps all wills, estates, guardianships, and adoption cases heard in the Circuit Court. You can search Drew County Probate Court Records online through the statewide CourtConnect portal, walk in to 210 South Main Street, or mail a written request for copies. Monticello sits in south-east Arkansas and is home to the University of Arkansas at Monticello. This page walks through how to find a file, what papers a probate case holds, and how to get copies.

Drew County Probate Court Records Office

The Drew County Clerk serves as clerk to the probate court. The office files all papers in decedent estate cases, keeps the records for adoptions and guardianships, and runs the small estate affidavit track. The clerk also issues marriage licenses and stores assumed business name filings.

The office is at 210 South Main Street, Monticello, AR 71655. Call (870) 460-6250 with case questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Circuit Clerk Beverly Burks runs the Circuit Clerk's office at the same address. That office handles civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile files, plus land records as ex-officio recorder.

The Drew County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all probate proceedings under § 28-1-104. The District Court handles misdemeanors and traffic, but does not hear probate. Probate hearings are held at the Drew County Courthouse, with public parking nearby.

Search Drew County Probate Court Records Online

Drew County takes part in CourtConnect for some case types. Partial information is available through the statewide portal. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. Each result shows basic case info and docket entries.

Start at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Pick the 10th Judicial District and narrow to Drew County. The search is free and open to the public. A look at the main case search page is below.

Use this page as your first stop for a name or case number search. For full document images and certified copies of Drew County Probate Court Records, call (870) 460-6250 or plan a trip to Monticello.

Drew County Probate Court Records Types

A Drew County probate file can hold a wide mix of papers. Most files start with a petition for probate or for letters of administration. The judge admits the will, names a personal representative, and issues letters. The case then builds into a full record.

Common papers in a Drew County Probate Court Records file include the petition, the will and proof of will, letters testamentary or of administration, the inventory and appraisal of assets, creditor claim forms, notices to heirs, petitions for family or homestead allowances, sale orders for real estate, the final accounting, and the order of discharge. Adoption records stay sealed by state law.

Arkansas Code runs the clock on every estate. A will must be filed within 5 years of death under § 28-40-103. Proof of the will needs at least two attesting witnesses under § 28-40-117. The personal representative files an inventory within 60 days per § 28-48-101. Creditor claims are due within 6 months of first notice under § 28-40-111.

Guardianship cases follow § 28-65-101 and give 20 days notice of each hearing under § 28-65-207. The file holds medical statements, a guardian ad litem report, and yearly reports from the guardian. Small estate affidavits run under § 28-41-101 for estates at or under $100,000. These let heirs close a simple file without full probate.

Drew County Probate Probate Court Records Fees

The Drew County probate filing fee is $165 for a new estate case. The small estate filing fee is about $25 for estates at or under $100,000 in value, not counting the homestead or family allowance. You must wait 45 days after death before you can file a small estate.

Copy fees at the Drew County clerk run $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies of Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary cost $5 each. Publication costs for probate notices in a local newspaper typically run $100 to $200 in Drew County.

Order a few more certified copies than you think you need. Banks, brokers, title firms, and the state tax office each ask for one. The per-copy fee is low, and a second mail cycle costs more time than extra copies at the start.

Historic Drew County Probate Court Records

Drew County was formed in 1846 and is named for Thomas S. Drew, the third Governor of Arkansas. Historical probate records at the clerk date from 1847. Marriage records also date from 1847. Monticello was chosen as county seat from the start.

The Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds many old Drew County files on microfilm. Start at arkansasheritage.com for hours and online help. The archives are free to use for family history.

FamilySearch has put many Drew County probate files online. Visit the Drew County research wiki for links to microfilm reels and online indexes. The wiki is a strong starting point for any family history search in south-east Arkansas.

Arkansas birth and death records began in 1914. A Drew County probate file from before that date may be your best source for a date of death and a short family tree.

Request Drew County Probate Records

You have three main paths to get Drew County Probate Court Records. Pick the one that fits your need.

In person: walk in to 210 South Main Street in Monticello during office hours. Bring a photo ID. Give staff the case name or number. Plain copies often happen at the counter. Certified copies take a few more minutes for the seal.

By mail: send a short letter with case info, return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for the copy fees. The clerk will pull the file and mail the copies back. Include the decedent's full name and year of death if you do not have a case number.

Online: start at CourtConnect to find the case. For older cases that are not online, use FamilySearch or the State Archives.

Public Access to Drew County Probate Records

Probate files in Drew County are public under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Order No. 19. You do not need to be an heir, a party, or a lawyer to ask for the file.

Some items stay sealed. Adoption files are closed by state law. Juvenile cases are not open to the public. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and the full names of minor children are redacted. Medical records in a guardianship case may be limited to the parties.

The rest of a Drew County Probate Court Records file is open. A request to seal a full file runs under Rule 19 and § 28 rules. The judge weighs privacy against the public right to see court work. Most requests to seal are denied unless a strong case is made.

Legal Help in Drew County

Legal Aid of Arkansas serves Drew County for low-income residents. The group helps with small estate affidavits and simple guardianships. Visit arlegalaid.org for intake forms and statewide help.

The Arkansas Judiciary self-help page has standard forms for personal reps, guardians, and heirs who want to file on their own. The University of Arkansas at Monticello also hosts community events and workshops on estate basics from time to time.

Nearby Arkansas Counties

Drew County sits in south-east Arkansas. Nearby counties file probate cases at their own county clerk offices.