How Much Does Guardianship Cost in Arkansas? Filing Fees, Attorney Costs, and Ongoing Expenses

Parents researching guardianship in Arkansas see the $165 filing fee and think that is the total cost. It is not even close. By the time you account for the professional evaluation, attorney fees, bond premiums, and ongoing annual filing costs, a guardianship proceeding routinely runs $2,000 to $5,000 — and that is for an uncontested case.

Here is every cost you will encounter.

Upfront Filing Costs

Base filing fee: $165 — this is the statewide standard for opening a probate guardianship case. Some counties add technology fees or court security surcharges on top. Pulaski County, for example, assesses additional administrative fees.

Certified copies of Letters of Guardianship: ~$5 each — you will need multiple copies because banks, hospitals, schools, and government agencies each require their own certified copy of Form 29. Budget for at least 4-6 copies.

Service of process costs — the proposed ward must be personally served, and close relatives must receive certified mail notice at least 30 days before the hearing. Process server fees vary by county; certified mail runs $5-8 per recipient.

Professional Evaluation

The professional evaluation required under A.C.A. § 28-65-212 is one of the largest variable costs. A licensed physician, psychologist, or social worker must evaluate the proposed ward's medical condition, adaptive behavior, cognitive functioning, and whether less restrictive alternatives exist.

If you arrange the evaluation yourself through the ward's existing physician, costs are lower — often folded into a regular office visit or billed as a specialist consultation ($200-$500). If the court orders an independent evaluation, costs are significantly higher.

Under § 28-65-212(c)(2), if the guardianship is granted, the evaluation cost comes from the ward's estate. If denied, the petitioner pays.

Attorney Fees

Private probate and elder law attorneys in Arkansas typically charge $250-$350 per hour, with uncontested guardianship cases running $2,000-$5,000 in total fees. Contested cases — where a family member objects or the proposed ward fights the petition — cost substantially more.

Filing without a lawyer is technically possible for guardianship of the person, but courts are skeptical of pro se filings for guardianship of the estate. Managing someone else's financial affairs through the court system is legally considered representing a third party, and many probate judges will not allow non-attorneys to handle it.

Bond Premiums

If the court requires a surety bond for guardianship of the estate (discretionary since Act 326 of 2023, but still common), the annual premium runs roughly $50 per year for $8,000 in coverage. The premium is paid from the ward's estate.

Ongoing Annual Costs

Guardianship expenses do not stop after appointment:

• Form 32 (Annual Report of Guardian): no court filing fee. A nominal county recording fee may apply if it is filed outside the primary case docket. Do not confuse this with the Secretary of State's business franchise tax report ($150 minimum) — they show up in the same search results but are completely different filings.
• Form 31 (Annual Financial Accounting): some counties charge a filing fee. Boone County, for example, assesses $50 per annual accounting.
• Attorney fees for annual filings: if you use an attorney to prepare the annual reports and accountings, budget $300-$500 per year.
• Bond renewal premiums: ongoing for as long as the guardianship remains active.

The Cheaper Path: Avoiding Court Entirely

For many disability families, the single most impactful cost-saving decision is determining whether you need guardianship at all. A durable power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney cost nothing beyond notarization fees (typically $10-$25) and accomplish the same practical goals for families where the young adult has the capacity to sign.

A representative payee designation through SSA costs nothing to apply for and manages government benefits without court involvement.

The Arkansas Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes a county-specific fee worksheet and a decision framework that helps families calculate the full cost of guardianship against the cost-free alternatives — before committing to the probate process.

See more Arkansas guides →