Arkansas Guardianship Forms: Every AOC Probate Form You Need

Arkansas uses standardized probate forms issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), and every guardianship case touches most of them. The problem is that no one tells you which forms to file in what order, or which ones trigger deadlines that can get you cited by the judge if you miss them.

Here is the complete set, in the sequence you will actually use them.

The Filing Phase

Form 24: Petition for Appointment of Guardian — this is the document that opens your case. It goes to the Probate Division of the Circuit Court in the county where the proposed ward lives. You will include biographical data, names of close relatives, the specific nature of the alleged incapacity, and a description of the ward's assets if you are seeking guardianship of the estate. The statewide base filing fee is $165.

Form 25: Notice of Hearing for Appointment — once your petition is filed and a hearing date is set, this form must be served on the proposed ward in person and mailed to close relatives (spouse, parents, adult siblings) at least 30 days before the hearing. Getting the service right is critical — improper notice can get your entire case thrown out.

The Appointment Phase

Form 27: Guardian's Bond — if you are appointed guardian of the estate, the judge will typically require a surety bond before issuing your credentials. The bond protects the ward's assets against mismanagement. Since Act 326 of 2023 changed bond requirements from mandatory to discretionary, the judge decides whether to require one and at what amount. Annual bond premiums run roughly $50 per year for $8,000 in coverage, paid from the ward's estate.

Form 28: Acceptance of Appointment as Guardian — you sign this to formally accept the duties. It is filed with the court before the Letters of Guardianship are issued.

Form 29: Letters of Guardianship — the clerk issues this after your appointment is finalized. This is the credential you take to banks, hospitals, schools, and government agencies to prove your legal authority. Order several certified copies ($5 each at most county clerks) because institutions routinely require their own copy.

Post-Appointment Reporting

Form 30: Inventory of Ward's Estate — due within 60 days of appointment. You must list every asset the ward owns: real property, bank accounts, personal property, and income sources, all valued as of the date of appointment. Filed under oath.

Form 31: Accounting by Guardian — an annual financial accounting required of every guardian of the estate. It details every dollar received, spent, and invested on behalf of the ward, backed by receipts and bank statements. Some counties charge a $50 filing fee for the annual accounting.

Form 32: Annual Report of Guardian — required annually of every guardian of the person under A.C.A. § 28-65-322. It covers the ward's physical, mental, and social condition, current living situation, significant medical or educational events, and a statement about whether the guardianship is still necessary. There is no court filing fee for Form 32. 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, which carries a $150 minimum fee and shows up in the same search results.

Deadlines That Carry Consequences

The reporting deadlines are enforced. If you miss the 60-day window for the estate inventory (Form 30) or the annual filing deadline for Forms 31 and 32, the court is required under § 28-65-203(a)(3) to issue a citation and set a show-cause hearing. Penalties include fines up to $50, denial of compensation, or removal as guardian.

All forms are available on the AOC Probate Forms Portal. Download the current versions — outdated forms from third-party websites sometimes lack language required under Act 713 of 2025.

The Arkansas Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes fillable preparation worksheets for each form, with the exact filing sequence and county-specific fee details so you do not miss a deadline or underpay a filing fee.

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