Bentonville, AR

We’re a specialist firm—estate planning is all that I do, all day, every day. Our office in Arkansas was the second Oath office that opened. We have been doing this around here for a long time now.

There is no estate tax in Arkansas. We are NOT a community property state. Probate can be a nightmare in Arkansas, too. Not enough people understand that a Will does not avoid probate in most cases.

Probate can be quite nasty in Arkansas. A big selling point of proper estate planning is avoiding probate. It's a really long process. The standard probate in Arkansas is a minimum of 6 months, but can be closer to 9 or 12 months. It's very costly. Certain legal notices have to go into the paper; all heirs of the estate, even the ones you're not including in your probate, have to be notified; you have to notify all of the creditors of the estate; everything has to be inventoried and accounting has to be provided to the judge. If you want to sell real property through the probate process, that all has to get passed through the judge first.

It’s a lot of hassle and ends up costing a lot of money. We have a law in Arkansas that allows probate lawyers to charge their legal fees not based on how many hours they invested, but based on the value of the estate.

I love NWA! I also have a lot of clients in Harrison, Mountain Home, Fort Smith, and Russellville. In Arkansas, there are a lot of retirees moving here from other states. Arkansas is a beautiful place, with good people.

Most folks in Arkansas just want to make it simple. They don't want to burden their family with a probate mess. They want to make sure their people are protected with a proper estate plan.

Arkansas clients ask about protecting their home and land from taxes, nursing homes, probate, and other creditors or predators to their estate.

I continuously hear “We have been meaning to do this for so long. We feel so much better now.” Estate planning gives clients peace of mind.

Oath is right for Arkansas clients because we provide a complete service and take the guess-work away. We have a comprehensive plan—I really listen to understand what their goals are, and I create an estate plan that does just that.

I'm an Arkansas native. I’ve hosted hundreds of estate planning workshops and worked with a lot of clients. I work with our attorneys across the company to help them understand why we do what we do, and how we do it, so they can take care of their clients the way we have been doing it here in Arkansas for years.

We cover a lot of important topics at our workshop—the difference between a will and a trust, incapacity, common misunderstandings about the law, and more.

We create Arkansas specific Living Wills (end of life decisions), HIPAA releases (so folks can get access to their medical info), and Medical and Financial POAs (so a guardianship is not needed if you become incapacitated).

Probate in Arkansas usually lasts 9-12 months on average, but it can take years for a variety of reasons.

Probate attorneys, per Arkansas state law, can charge their fee based on the value of the estate. This could make probate very expensive.

They want to know what the difference between a will and a trust is. They also ask how to avoid probate (and how to keep it simple and avoid government involvement). Many want to know how to protect property from Medicaid and nursing homes. Beneficiary designations are another frequent topic. Many folks think or are told by their financial advisors that a beneficiary designation is all they need—I discuss in my estate planning workshop why this simple tool is not sufficient to ensure their estate will pass outside of probate.

I love hosting estate planning workshops in Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Springdale, Fayetteville, Harrison, Mountain Home, Fort Smith, Russellville, and Cabot.

A widow's husband died unexpectedly after she created a DIY trust she found on the internet. Five years later when I met her, I helped her realize this DIY trust was NOT what she thought it was and that as there was no attorney to advise her, she actually had not set it up in the way she had intended. Her estate was not protected. She spent several hundred dollars for this DIY trust for it to accomplish nothing. I was able to get her documents created correctly, properly advise her on how to fund the trust, and give her peace of mind that things were taken care of correctly.

Of course, when somebody has passed away, it's too late to create an estate plan. This is why you shouldn’t procrastinate getting your plan in place.

Estate planning is about more than documents—it's about peace of mind. At Oath in Bentonville, we help individuals and families create clear, customized estate plans that protect their future and reflect their values. Whether you're creating a will, setting up a trust, or preparing powers of attorney, our estate and financial planning team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Trusts aren't just for the ultra-wealthy—they're practical tools for many everyday families. Many types of trusts (revocable living trust, irrevocable trust, special needs trusts and more) may allow your assets to pass smoothly to loved ones without the delays, expense, and publicity of probate. Trusts can also help with asset protection, divorce protection, planning for minor children, or caring for loved ones with special needs. Our Bentonville team can help determine if a trust is right for your situation and ensure it's set up properly.

A will is a common aspect of an estate plan. Like trusts, it lets you decide who receives your assets, name guardians for minor children, and appoint someone to manage your affairs after death. However, wills often do not offer the same protections as trusts. In Bentonville, our attorneys can help you decide what kind of plan will reflect your personal goals and integrate seamlessly with your financial and retirement plan . We also help you think through decisions that many people overlook—like backup beneficiaries, trustees or personal representatives, and coordination with family once you pass away.

A power of attorney is essential in the event of incapacity. It allows a trusted person—your "agent"—to handle financial or legal matters on your behalf. Without one, your family may need to go to court to make even basic decisions, which can take months for guardianship to be granted. Our attorneys walk you through choosing the right person, deciding how much authority to give them, and making sure your document meets Arkansas’s legal standards.

What happens if you're incapacitated and unable to communicate your medical wishes? A healthcare directive (often called a living will) and a medical power of attorney give your loved ones the guidance and authority they need during difficult moments. We help Bentonville clients clearly express their preferences for care and name someone they trust to advocate for them.

Bentonville families trust Oath for:
•Clear, flat-fee pricing with no surprises
•A focus solely on estate planning—no distractions
•Thoughtful, educational process that makes complex topics understandable
•Secure, 24/7 access to your plan and documents
•Local team with national resources and support

Our team in Bentonville is committed to making estate planning clear, personal, and effective. Whether you need a simple will or a comprehensive trust-based plan, we'll walk you through each step with clarity, compassion, and care.

Your estate plan may include a trust, a will, a financial power of attorney, and a healthcare directive. Our Bentonville attorney and team can help you decide what you need. These documents work together to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are honored.

Absolutely. A clear plan helps prevent confusion, disagreements, and costly legal battles. It gives loved ones peace of mind and guidance during difficult times.

A will goes into effect after your death and almost always requires court oversight through the probate process in order to distribute your assets. A trust can take effect during your life and helps assets pass more efficiently, privately, and without probate. Even though a trust takes effect while you’re alive and well, you can still access all of your assets and money as needed.

Yes. You can (and should) update your estate plan as your life changes—marriage, divorce, changes to the law, grandchildren, a new home, or other major events.

"Durable" means it stays in effect if you become incapacitated. This ensures your chosen agent can still act for you when it matters most.

It depends—especially in blended families or second marriages. You can plan together or separately, and our Bentonville attorney can help you decide. You'll likely have similar documents, but you may need your own will, powers of attorney, and possibly separate trusts.

Start with an estate planning discovery call. At Oath in Bentonville, we'll listen to your goals, explain your options, and recommend a plan that fits your life and values—not just your legal checklist.

Yes. Estate planning isn't just for retirees—it's for anyone who wants control over their healthcare and finances. Even single adults should name someone to act on their behalf if they become unable to make decisions.

If no legal guardian is named in your will, the court will decide who takes care of your children. Naming someone in your plan ensures your wishes are known and legally enforceable.

“The team at Oath were very efficient and sincerely had our best interest in mind. They communicated with us along the way and we are very pleased with the service we received.”

"Clear communication, flat pricing, and a truly helpful process. Highly recommend Oath to anyone getting their affairs in order."

"We were overwhelmed with the idea of estate planning, but the Oath team broke it down into simple, manageable steps. So grateful for their support."

"Everyone was patient, professional, and so knowledgeable. I appreciated how they explained everything without legal jargon."

"It feels so good to have our documents in place. The whole process was smoother and more reassuring than I expected."