Attorneys in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Farrar & Williams, PLLC is a Hot Springs, Arkansas based law firm practicing estate planning, wills, trusts, and other areas of elder law. We are committed to helping you plan for the future and strive to build a level of trust with each client that instills confidence and a peace of mind. We assist clients throughout all of Arkansas.
The staff at Farrar & Williams, PLLC is experienced and efficient in multiple areas of elder law including, long term care planning, Medicaid planning and estate planning. Let the staff at Farrar & Williams, PLLC help you plan for your future.
We Offer A Free 30-Minute Estate Planning Consultation with One of Our Attorneys!
(excluding Medicaid)
Since 1927 our Firm has focused its practice in the following areas:
Our Legal Services
Elder Law
Elder Law is a legal field that supports seniors and their families on various legal issues, prioritizing quality of life and dignity.
Estate Planning
Estate planning allows you to decide how your assets will be distributed, designate beneficiaries, establish powers of attorney for property and healthcare, and create a will to manage your estate after your passing.
Longterm Care & Medicaid Planning
We assist with long-term care planning by structuring your assets to qualify for programs like Medicaid and Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance, aiming to secure your financial eligibility while preserving your assets.
Last Will and Testament
A Last Will & Testament is a legal document that outlines your wishes for asset distribution and guardianship of minor children after your death, helping to ensure your intentions are fulfilled and easing the process for your loved ones.
Revocable Living Trust
A Revocable Living Trust is a flexible legal document that lets you manage and protect your assets during your lifetime, specify their distribution after your death, and helps your estate avoid probate.
Durable Powers of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney grants a trusted person authority to manage your financial or healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated, ensuring continuity in your affairs and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney
Living Wills and Medical Powers of Attorney allow you to communicate your healthcare preferences and designate someone to make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated, ensuring your wishes are honored and reducing stress for your loved ones during critical times.
Second Marriage Estate Planning
Estate planning for a second marriage involves balancing the financial interests of a new spouse with the inheritance rights of children from a prior relationship, using tools like trusts and updated wills to ensure both are provided for as intended.
Business Formation
Launching a new business is an exciting journey, yet managing the legal details can be challenging. Farrar & Williams, PLLC offers comprehensive business formation services to ensure your business is built on a solid legal foundation.
Guardianship
Guardianship legal services offer guidance to those seeking legal authority to care for a minor or incapacitated adult, ensuring arrangements are structured to protect the well-being and best interests of those in need.
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate and estate administration manage a deceased person’s assets by settling debts, transferring assets, and respecting their wishes, we will provide compassionate guidance through these tasks during a time of loss.
Trust Administration
Administering a trust involves various responsibilities and legal requirements, and Farrar & Williams, PLLC provides expert services to ensure each trust is managed according to the grantor’s wishes and legal standards.
Recent Blog Posts
June 30, 2025
In an era of rapidly evolving technology, a new asset class has emerged that has captured the attention of investors worldwide: cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin. While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized and borderless financial system, they also introduce unique challenges for estate planning—challenges that can leave families struggling to manage or even access digital wealth after a loved one’s passing. If you haven’t thought about how your cryptocurrency holdings will be handled after you’re gone, it’s time to take action. The rise of digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, presents a new dimension to estate planning that requires both attention and foresight. Why Cryptocurrency Requires Special Attention in Estate Planning Unlike traditional financial assets like bank accounts or real estate, cryptocurrency operates outside of the traditional financial system. Transactions are recorded on a decentralized ledger called the blockchain , and ownership of cryptocurrency is verified through a system of cryptographic keys. These private keys act as a digital "password" to access your holdings, and without them, your crypto assets are as good as gone. This is where the estate planning process becomes critical. If a family member or loved one doesn’t know how to access your Bitcoin wallet or other digital assets, your wealth could be lost permanently. In fact, millions of dollars in Bitcoin have already been lost due to forgotten keys or inadequate estate planning. The Cryptocurrency Challenge: Securing and Sharing Your Keys The most important step in ensuring your cryptocurrency is accessible to your heirs is safeguarding your private keys . These keys are the keys to your digital wallet, and without them, nobody—not even the most skilled hacker—can access your coins. Here’s the catch: Private keys are not like regular bank account login details. If you lose your private key, there is no password recovery system to fall back on. Therefore, it is imperative that you store your keys securely and make sure your family knows how to access them when the time comes. What You Need to Do Now: Planning for Your Digital Wealth When it comes to planning for Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, there are a few practical steps you can take right now to ensure that your assets are passed down smoothly: 1. Create a Detailed Cryptocurrency Inventory : List all of your cryptocurrency holdings, including any Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other tokens you own. Don’t forget to include where these assets are stored (whether on a hardware wallet, a software wallet, or an exchange platform like Coinbase). 2. Store Your Private Keys Securely : Your private keys are the cornerstone of your crypto holdings. There are multiple ways to store them securely: Hardware wallets (such as Trezor or Ledger) are physical devices that store your keys offline, providing the highest level of security. Paper wallets involve printing out the private key and storing it in a safe location. Password managers can also securely store private keys, but make sure the password manager itself is protected by multi-factor authentication. 3. Whichever method you choose, make sure your family knows where to find these keys. 4. Designate a Trusted Executor for Your Cryptocurrency : A digital executor is someone you trust to manage your digital assets upon your passing. This person should have clear instructions on how to access your crypto holdings. You can even choose a backup executor in case your first choice is unavailable. By taking proactive steps—creating an inventory of your crypto holdings, securing your private keys, designating a trusted executor, and communicating your plans with your family—you can ensure that your digital wealth is passed on seamlessly to the next generation. The future of money is digital, but the future of your wealth doesn’t have to be uncertain. Start planning today to secure your cryptocurrency legacy for tomorrow. Ryan Villano is an attorney at Farrar and Williams PLLC which is conveniently located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Rd., Hot Springs, AR . To discuss your estate planning needs or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at (501-525-4401) or visit our website at [www.farrarwilliams.com].
June 30, 2025
Limited Liability Companies (LLC's) are a popular business planning structure. Whether you operate a large or small business or own rental property, an LLC may be something you should consider. An LLC is an entity that you obtain through the Secretary of State in the State where you conduct business. An LLC must have its own unique name as well as member(s) and officer(s) who own and control the LLC. The documents to form an LLC are generally prepared by an attorney and consist of Minutes, Agreement to Form, Operating Agreement and Certificates of Ownership. An LLC is beneficial for several reasons. First, and perhaps foremost, is personal liability protection. For example, if your business is formed as an LLC and said business has liabilities (from debts, injuries such as a tenant getting hurt at the property, or otherwise), said liabilities do not become the LLC owner's personal liability. If the business fails, then such loss can be limited to the business and not extend to other personal assets of the owner. In addition to liability protection, LLC's offer many tax benefits. Rather than venturing into the many tax benefits, I would encourage my readers to explore the tax advantages of an LLC with your accountant. LLC's are also very beneficial as an estate planning tool. For my clients that have a Revocable Trust, I typically advise that the LLC be owned by the Client's trust or that the Client transfer their LLC ownership to their trust. This allows for an LLC and the property held within to pass to your chosen beneficiaries without the need for probate. However, LLCs are generally subject to probate unless the interest has been assigned or designated to transfer upon the owner's death. Prior to state law authorizing the formation of an LLC, people used General Partnerships and corporations for business planning. Corporations remain a viable entity to consider for business planning; however, General Partnerships have all but gone away as they offer no liability protection. Determining what type of entity best suits you and your business is something you should discuss with your attorney and accountant. As with most business planning options, there are costs to consider when setting up an LLC. Attorney fees to establish, annual franchise tax, and accounting fees are all expenses involved with setting up and managing an LLC.
June 27, 2025
Whether you recently moved to Arkansas or you have always called Arkansas home, it is a good idea to have your estate plan reviewed by an attorney to ensure that it is current and still fulfills your estate planning goals. If you have not set up an estate plan, now is the time to do it. The complications of moving from state to state are not difficult; however, there are still legal issues to be concerned with. While your Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and medical directives will most likely be effective in Arkansas, your Durable Power of Attorney and medical directives typically need to be updated to include the statutes of the state where you reside. Each state may have special exceptions to consider. For example, if you have children that you are not providing for under your Last Will and Testament, Arkansas has a law, known as the “pretermitted heir law” that requires your Will to at least mention the child, even if you do not wish to leave that child an inheritance. Likewise, if you have a deceased child leaving children, you need to mention those grandchildren’s names in your Will. Failure to mention the child or grandchild can result in that person you wished to disinherit instead receiving a portion of your estate, despite the terms in your Last Will and Testament. I often get asked about the estate or inheritance tax. Fortunately, Arkansas has eliminated its state estate tax, so that is not a problem. The federal estate tax still applies to estates in excess of $13,990,000 (per person) for 2025, and there are even larger estate tax exemptions for married couples. Many estate plans for married couples have special provisions to maximize the exemption from estate taxes; however, those provisions need to be reviewed in light of the much larger exemptions in place as of 2025. Do you still own real estate in another state? For example, many families own vacation condominiums in other states. If so, you will want to plan for that to avoid “ancillary probate” (a probate court proceeding in another state). This can be an expensive and time-consuming legal problem for your surviving spouse or children. Setting up a Trust is often the best way to avoid probate, including ancillary probates in other states and jurisdictions. In summary, if you have moved here from another state, the laws are usually not significantly different from state to state. However, we typically advise that you have an attorney review your out of state documents, and possibly make updates to your documents in accordance with the laws of the state where you currently reside. An experienced estate planning attorney can advise you on any other issues that might affect your estate plan now that you are a resident of Arkansas. Wesley W. Harris is an associate attorney at Farrar & Williams, PLLC, a law firm limiting its practice to trusts, estate planning, and elder law, located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Road, Suite 202, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and can be contacted at 501-525-4401 or by email at wesley@ farrarwilliams.com. The firm’s website is farrarwilliams.com.
Recent Blog Posts
June 30, 2025
In an era of rapidly evolving technology, a new asset class has emerged that has captured the attention of investors worldwide: cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin. While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized and borderless financial system, they also introduce unique challenges for estate planning—challenges that can leave families struggling to manage or even access digital wealth after a loved one’s passing. If you haven’t thought about how your cryptocurrency holdings will be handled after you’re gone, it’s time to take action. The rise of digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, presents a new dimension to estate planning that requires both attention and foresight. Why Cryptocurrency Requires Special Attention in Estate Planning Unlike traditional financial assets like bank accounts or real estate, cryptocurrency operates outside of the traditional financial system. Transactions are recorded on a decentralized ledger called the blockchain , and ownership of cryptocurrency is verified through a system of cryptographic keys. These private keys act as a digital "password" to access your holdings, and without them, your crypto assets are as good as gone. This is where the estate planning process becomes critical. If a family member or loved one doesn’t know how to access your Bitcoin wallet or other digital assets, your wealth could be lost permanently. In fact, millions of dollars in Bitcoin have already been lost due to forgotten keys or inadequate estate planning. The Cryptocurrency Challenge: Securing and Sharing Your Keys The most important step in ensuring your cryptocurrency is accessible to your heirs is safeguarding your private keys . These keys are the keys to your digital wallet, and without them, nobody—not even the most skilled hacker—can access your coins. Here’s the catch: Private keys are not like regular bank account login details. If you lose your private key, there is no password recovery system to fall back on. Therefore, it is imperative that you store your keys securely and make sure your family knows how to access them when the time comes. What You Need to Do Now: Planning for Your Digital Wealth When it comes to planning for Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, there are a few practical steps you can take right now to ensure that your assets are passed down smoothly: 1. Create a Detailed Cryptocurrency Inventory : List all of your cryptocurrency holdings, including any Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other tokens you own. Don’t forget to include where these assets are stored (whether on a hardware wallet, a software wallet, or an exchange platform like Coinbase). 2. Store Your Private Keys Securely : Your private keys are the cornerstone of your crypto holdings. There are multiple ways to store them securely: Hardware wallets (such as Trezor or Ledger) are physical devices that store your keys offline, providing the highest level of security. Paper wallets involve printing out the private key and storing it in a safe location. Password managers can also securely store private keys, but make sure the password manager itself is protected by multi-factor authentication. 3. Whichever method you choose, make sure your family knows where to find these keys. 4. Designate a Trusted Executor for Your Cryptocurrency : A digital executor is someone you trust to manage your digital assets upon your passing. This person should have clear instructions on how to access your crypto holdings. You can even choose a backup executor in case your first choice is unavailable. By taking proactive steps—creating an inventory of your crypto holdings, securing your private keys, designating a trusted executor, and communicating your plans with your family—you can ensure that your digital wealth is passed on seamlessly to the next generation. The future of money is digital, but the future of your wealth doesn’t have to be uncertain. Start planning today to secure your cryptocurrency legacy for tomorrow. Ryan Villano is an attorney at Farrar and Williams PLLC which is conveniently located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Rd., Hot Springs, AR . To discuss your estate planning needs or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at (501-525-4401) or visit our website at [www.farrarwilliams.com].
June 30, 2025
Limited Liability Companies (LLC's) are a popular business planning structure. Whether you operate a large or small business or own rental property, an LLC may be something you should consider. An LLC is an entity that you obtain through the Secretary of State in the State where you conduct business. An LLC must have its own unique name as well as member(s) and officer(s) who own and control the LLC. The documents to form an LLC are generally prepared by an attorney and consist of Minutes, Agreement to Form, Operating Agreement and Certificates of Ownership. An LLC is beneficial for several reasons. First, and perhaps foremost, is personal liability protection. For example, if your business is formed as an LLC and said business has liabilities (from debts, injuries such as a tenant getting hurt at the property, or otherwise), said liabilities do not become the LLC owner's personal liability. If the business fails, then such loss can be limited to the business and not extend to other personal assets of the owner. In addition to liability protection, LLC's offer many tax benefits. Rather than venturing into the many tax benefits, I would encourage my readers to explore the tax advantages of an LLC with your accountant. LLC's are also very beneficial as an estate planning tool. For my clients that have a Revocable Trust, I typically advise that the LLC be owned by the Client's trust or that the Client transfer their LLC ownership to their trust. This allows for an LLC and the property held within to pass to your chosen beneficiaries without the need for probate. However, LLCs are generally subject to probate unless the interest has been assigned or designated to transfer upon the owner's death. Prior to state law authorizing the formation of an LLC, people used General Partnerships and corporations for business planning. Corporations remain a viable entity to consider for business planning; however, General Partnerships have all but gone away as they offer no liability protection. Determining what type of entity best suits you and your business is something you should discuss with your attorney and accountant. As with most business planning options, there are costs to consider when setting up an LLC. Attorney fees to establish, annual franchise tax, and accounting fees are all expenses involved with setting up and managing an LLC.
June 27, 2025
Whether you recently moved to Arkansas or you have always called Arkansas home, it is a good idea to have your estate plan reviewed by an attorney to ensure that it is current and still fulfills your estate planning goals. If you have not set up an estate plan, now is the time to do it. The complications of moving from state to state are not difficult; however, there are still legal issues to be concerned with. While your Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and medical directives will most likely be effective in Arkansas, your Durable Power of Attorney and medical directives typically need to be updated to include the statutes of the state where you reside. Each state may have special exceptions to consider. For example, if you have children that you are not providing for under your Last Will and Testament, Arkansas has a law, known as the “pretermitted heir law” that requires your Will to at least mention the child, even if you do not wish to leave that child an inheritance. Likewise, if you have a deceased child leaving children, you need to mention those grandchildren’s names in your Will. Failure to mention the child or grandchild can result in that person you wished to disinherit instead receiving a portion of your estate, despite the terms in your Last Will and Testament. I often get asked about the estate or inheritance tax. Fortunately, Arkansas has eliminated its state estate tax, so that is not a problem. The federal estate tax still applies to estates in excess of $13,990,000 (per person) for 2025, and there are even larger estate tax exemptions for married couples. Many estate plans for married couples have special provisions to maximize the exemption from estate taxes; however, those provisions need to be reviewed in light of the much larger exemptions in place as of 2025. Do you still own real estate in another state? For example, many families own vacation condominiums in other states. If so, you will want to plan for that to avoid “ancillary probate” (a probate court proceeding in another state). This can be an expensive and time-consuming legal problem for your surviving spouse or children. Setting up a Trust is often the best way to avoid probate, including ancillary probates in other states and jurisdictions. In summary, if you have moved here from another state, the laws are usually not significantly different from state to state. However, we typically advise that you have an attorney review your out of state documents, and possibly make updates to your documents in accordance with the laws of the state where you currently reside. An experienced estate planning attorney can advise you on any other issues that might affect your estate plan now that you are a resident of Arkansas. Wesley W. Harris is an associate attorney at Farrar & Williams, PLLC, a law firm limiting its practice to trusts, estate planning, and elder law, located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Road, Suite 202, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and can be contacted at 501-525-4401 or by email at wesley@ farrarwilliams.com. The firm’s website is farrarwilliams.com.
