When Arkansas land or mineral rights are tied up in a deceased relative’s estate, nothing moves until probate is handled properly.

If you have inherited Arkansas land, oil and gas interests, brine rights, or royalties — or if you are an out-of-state attorney needing local Arkansas probate counsel — I can help you resolve the issue efficiently and correctly.

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Probate for Arkansas Land and Mineral Rights

Much of my probate practice involves clearing title to:

• Mineral rights in South Arkansas

• Oil and gas royalties in producing counties

• Brine and lithium interests in the Smackover Formation

• Rural land and family property

• Suspended royalty payments held by operators

Often the problem looks like this:

• A relative died decades ago.

• No Arkansas probate was ever opened.

• An oil, gas, brine, or lithium company now requires probate.

• Royalty payments are in suspense.

• A lease cannot close until title is cleared.

Until probate is completed, the property cannot legally transfer and the money cannot be released.

I focus on solving that problem.

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Arkansas Probate for Out-of-State Heirs

Many of my clients live outside Arkansas.

They discover they own:

• Mineral rights in Union County

• Land in Columbia County

• Royalties in Lafayette County

• Brine interests in Miller County

• Fayetteville Shale interests in White or Van Buren County

But because Arkansas law governs Arkansas property, probate must often occur here — even if probate was handled in another state.

I regularly handle:

• Ancillary probate proceedings in Arkansas

• Probate of non-resident decedents

• Admission of out-of-state wills

• Probate as a muniment of title

• Determination of heirship proceedings

If you are an heir living outside Arkansas, I can manage the process locally and efficiently.

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Arkansas Ancillary Probate for Out-of-State Attorneys

A significant portion of my practice comes from referrals by out-of-state attorneys.

If you represent a client whose decedent owned Arkansas land or mineral interests, I can:

• Serve as local Arkansas counsel

• Open ancillary probate proceedings

• Admit foreign wills to probate

• Prepare petitions to determine heirship

• Clear title to Arkansas real property and minerals

• Coordinate with operators to release suspended funds

I understand both probate procedure and the realities of oil and gas title review. That combination matters.

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Probate and Suspended Oil & Gas or Brine Royalties

If your royalties are being held “in suspense,” probate may be required.

Oil, gas, and brine companies will not release funds unless title is properly vested under Arkansas law.

I assist clients with:

• Probate required by oil and gas companies

• Title curative for mineral interests

• Clearing suspended royalties

• Heirship documentation

• Affidavits of heirship (where appropriate)

• Small estate affidavits (when available)

My background in oil and gas law allows me to move directly to the issue that the operator is concerned about — and fix it.

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Types of Arkansas Probate Proceedings

Every estate is different. In Arkansas, options may include:

Probate With Administration

Used when:

• There are debts

• Property must be gathered and distributed

• An executor or administrator must be appointed

Probate as a Muniment of Title

Used when:

• There is a valid will

• No full administration is necessary

• The goal is to vest title to land or minerals

Petition to Determine Heirship

Used when:

• The decedent died without a will (intestate)

• Title must be legally established

Small Estate Affidavit

Available when:

• The estate value qualifies under Arkansas law

• There are no significant debts

• A simplified process is appropriate

Choosing the correct procedure saves time and money.

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Arkansas Counties Served

I handle probate matters involving Arkansas land and mineral rights in all counties, including:

• Union County
• Columbia County
• Lafayette County
• Cleburne County
• Miller County
• White County
• Van Buren County
• Faulkner County
• Conway County
• Pope County
• Yell County
• Sebastian County
• Crawford County
• Franklin County
• Logan County

And all other Arkansas counties where land or mineral interests are located.

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Why Hire a Probate Lawyer Who Understands Energy and Mineral Law?

Probate involving mineral rights is different from ordinary probate.

Oil and gas companies, brine operators, and lithium developers have specific title requirements. If probate is not structured properly, you may:

• Face additional delays

• Be required to file corrective pleadings

• Continue to have royalties held in suspense

• Incur unnecessary legal expenses

My career includes:

• 20 years in oil and gas and mineral law

• Work with exploration and production companies

• Experience in right-of-way and pipeline acquisition

• Service in Arkansas regulatory divisions involving oil, gas, and water

I understand what operators require — and how to satisfy those requirements efficiently.

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Do Not Delay Probate of Arkansas Land or Minerals

Delaying probate can:

• Complicate title

• Increase the number of heirs involved

• Create additional procedural hurdles

• Risk loss of leverage in leasing negotiations

If you have inherited Arkansas land or mineral rights, it is best to resolve probate sooner rather than later.

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Speak With an Arkansas Probate Lawyer Today

If you need help with:

• Arkansas mineral probate

• Ancillary probate in Arkansas

• Probate for oil and gas royalties

• Probate for brine or lithium interests

• Determination of heirship

• Suspended royalty release

Call 501-251-1076.

I represent heirs, landowners, royalty owners, and out-of-state attorneys throughout Arkansas.