Estate Planning

Estate Planning Attorney in Benton County, AR

Wills, Trusts & Incapacity Planning Built to Last

Most estate planning documents are drafted to satisfy a checklist. Ours are drafted to hold up in court. At Arnold and Associates, LLC, we pair thoughtful planning with genuine trial capability, so if a will is contested or a fiduciary dispute surfaces at the Benton County Circuit Court, the attorneys who drafted your plan are already prepared to defend it. That litigation mindset shapes every document we produce.

We handle estate planning for families, business owners, retirees, and blended families throughout Benton County, Arkansas. Every plan is tailored to your situation, not assembled from a generic template.

Call Arnold and Associates, LLC at (479) 383-2475 to schedule a consultation, available in person at our Rogers office or virtually.

Estate Planning Documents We Prepare

A complete estate plan coordinates several instruments that address both death and incapacity. The right combination depends on your family structure, your assets, and your goals.

Last Will & Testament
A will lets you name a personal representative, designate guardians for minor children, and specify who receives your property. Without one, Arkansas intestacy law makes those decisions for you, and the result may not match your intentions.

Revocable Living Trust
A properly funded revocable living trust can allow assets to transfer to your heirs without going through probate, keeping your financial affairs private and allowing distribution to proceed immediately. In Arkansas, estates over $100,000 that pass through a will alone typically require a full probate proceeding at the Benton County Circuit Court.

Beneficiary Deed
An Arkansas beneficiary deed can allow real estate to transfer automatically to a named beneficiary at death, bypassing probate entirely. It’s one of the most efficient tools available to Arkansas homeowners.

Powers of Attorney
A financial power of attorney designates a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you become ill or injured and can no longer act for yourself.

Healthcare Directive & Living Will
These documents state your medical preferences and name a healthcare surrogate to make decisions on your behalf. Having them in place can help prevent family conflict during a medical crisis when decisions can’t wait.

Why Benton County Families Choose Arnold and Associates, LLC

Founding attorney Makenzie Arnold has been licensed and practicing in Arkansas since 2015. Our firm has handled thousands of cases across Arkansas courts, and that courtroom experience directly influences how we approach estate planning documents. We know the arguments a will contest raises because we’ve litigated them. We draft accordingly.

We’re plain-spoken with clients and relentless in the courtroom. Consultations are available in person or virtually, and we serve Spanish-speaking clients. Hablamos español.

Advanced Trust Vehicles Under Arkansas Law

For clients who need protection beyond a standard revocable trust, Arkansas law provides several powerful irrevocable planning tools. Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust generally can’t be undone by the grantor, which is what gives it creditor-protection strength.

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts

Under 2023 Arkansas Acts 291 and 293, Arkansas permits Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs). A DAPT can protect assets from future lawsuits, creditors, or business liabilities in ways a revocable trust can’t. This tool is particularly relevant for professionals in high-liability fields, including physicians, contractors, and business owners in Northwest Arkansas.

Trust Decanting Under Act 293

Act 293 introduced decanting authority in Arkansas. If you have an existing irrevocable trust with outdated language, a trustee can now pour those assets into a new irrevocable trust with updated terms. This removes a barrier that once made irrevocable planning feel permanent in a problematic way.

Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is an irrevocable trust that starts Arkansas Medicaid’s five-year look-back clock. Once assets have been held in the trust for five years, they no longer count toward Arkansas Medicaid’s $2,000 countable asset limit for long-term care qualification. Long-term care costs can deplete an estate quickly, and proactive Medicaid planning can help preserve assets for the next generation. Whether a MAPT is appropriate depends on individual circumstances.

Special Needs Trusts

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) allows a beneficiary with a disability to receive an inheritance without losing government benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. Without one, an inheritance can disqualify a beneficiary from the programs they rely on.

How Arkansas Estate Planning Documents Work Together

An estate plan isn’t a single document. It’s a coordinated set of instruments that addresses what happens to your assets, who makes decisions if you can’t, and how the specific needs of your dependents are protected.

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance are also part of a complete plan. Those assets pass outside of a will entirely, so an outdated designation can override everything else you’ve put in writing. We review the full picture with every client, not just the documents we draft.

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Testimonials From Former Clients

Real Stories, Real Results

Our clients’ experiences speak to the dedication, preparation, and advocacy we bring to every case. Read what former clients have shared about working with our team.

"A Fierce Yet Compassionate Advocate"
Makenzie Arnold was an absolute lifesaver during one of the hardest times in my life. From the very first consultation, she was different from the other lawyers I spoke with—she didn’t just listen, she *fought* for me.

- Jennifer H.
"Cannot Recommend Makenzie Arnold Enough"
Cannot recommend Makenzie Arnold enough. She handled my custody case with more compassion and grace than I could have ever imagined. It was incredibly obvious that she actually cared about my family and our needs.

- Todd
"She Was Instrumental in Winning Our Case"
Makenzie Arnold is without a doubt the best attorney I've ever worked with. She answered emails quickly, she explained things to us well. She is an absolute bulldog in court.

- Jarrod C.
"Hands Down the Best Attorney"
She has grit and integrity. We had a very difficult case with the odds stacked against us. We came out on top. She's highly ethical and commands a solid understanding of the law.

- David L.
"She Was Truly on My Side"
It was a relief knowing I could trust her to advocate for me. She kept me informed and was available to answer questions I had along the way. Will absolutely work with Melanie again if I ever have other legal needs!

- Becca S.
"A Gem in The Legal Field"
Payton's kindness, understanding, and responsiveness truly set her apart as a top-notch lawyer. Throughout the entire process, she eased my fears and made me feel like I had a dedicated advocate fighting for me and my children.

- Meggan
"Kind, Professional, and Supportive"
Morgan Woelke was incredibly kind, professional, and supportive, patiently guiding me through every step of the process and always making sure I felt informed, confident, and well assisted throughout my case.

- Lilian C.

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Why Choose Arnold and Associates, LLC?

The Right Firm MAkes A Difference

Trial-Tested Advocacy

We prepare every case with a courtroom mindset and are always ready to fight for you when it matters most.
Client-First Approach
You are never just a case number. We take the time to understand your goals and build a strategy around what matters most to you.
Proven Experience
With thousands of cases handled, we bring real-world experience and practical insight to every legal challenge.
Aggressive When It Counts

We negotiate strategically, but we won’t hesitate to push hard when your rights or your family are on the line.
Free Consultations Available

We offer free consultations for select case types so you can understand your options, ask questions, and feel confident about your next steps before making any commitment.
Flexible & Accessible

We offer flexible meeting options and responsive communication because legal issues don’t always happen on a convenient schedule.

Start Your Estate Plan with Arnold and Associates, LLC

We handle estate planning for individuals and families throughout Benton County, AR. We offer free consultations for select case types, and we serve Spanish-speaking clients. Hablamos español.

Whether you’re starting a first estate plan, updating documents after a major life change, or facing a contested estate at the Benton County Circuit Court, our attorneys are ready to help. Call us at (479) 383-2475 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule your consultation, available in person at our Rogers office or virtually.

Probate in Benton County: What to Expect

When a loved one passes away in Arkansas, the Benton County Circuit Court’s probate division oversees the process of validating the will, notifying creditors, and distributing remaining assets. For standard estates, probate in Arkansas typically runs six months to over a year, and complex estates can take longer.

We represent personal representatives through the full probate process, handling petitions, asset inventories, and court deadlines. If the estate qualifies as a small estate under Arkansas law (generally, total value under $100,000 excluding the homestead), a simplified affidavit process may allow collection of assets without a full probate proceeding.

A properly funded revocable living trust, beneficiary deed, or jointly titled asset can allow property to transfer outside of probate entirely, sparing your family months of court proceedings. An estate plan that addresses both death and incapacity also reduces the number of decisions your surviving family members must make under stress. That’s the practical value of planning ahead.