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
February 16, 2026
For many people, the phrase estate planning conjures images of sprawling estates, complex trusts, and wealthy families and individuals. In reality, estate planning is something almost every adult should consider, regardless of income or asset level. At its core, estate planning is about control, protection, and peace of mind for you and for the people you care about most. Estate planning involves making legal arrangements for what happens to your property, finances, and personal decisions if you pass away or become unable to manage your affairs. Without a plan in place, those decisions are often left to the courts, state law, or family members who may not agree on what should be done. What Happens Without a Plan When someone dies without an estate plan, their estate is typically handled through probate, which is a court-supervised process that determines who inherits property, who pays debts, and who has authority to act on behalf of the estate. While probate is not always inappropriate or avoidable, it can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally draining for families, particularly when no clear instructions exist. Incapacity planning is another commonly overlooked issue. If a person becomes ill or injured and is unable to make decisions, a court may appoint a guardian or conservator to manage financial or personal affairs. With proper planning, this process can often be avoided entirely. The Core Pieces of an Estate Plan A basic estate plan often includes several key documents: A Will , which directs how property should be distributed and who should manage the estate Powers of Attorney , which allow a trusted individual to handle financial or legal matters if you are unable to do so Healthcare Directives , which outline medical wishes and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf Trusts , in certain situations, which can be used to manage assets, protect beneficiaries, or reduce court involvement Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. A young professional, a married couple, a blended family, and a retiree will all have different needs. The goal is clarity, not unnecessary complexity. More Than Money While finances are an important part of the process, estate planning involves far more than deciding who receives what. It allows parents to nominate guardians for minor children, helps protect beneficiaries with special needs, and provides guidance that can prevent family conflict during an already difficult time. Estate planning also gives individuals the opportunity to plan for long-term care, nursing home expenses, and medical decision-making. These are issues that affect far more families than many expect. When to Start and When to Update The best time to create an estate plan is before you need one. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, purchasing property, or changes in health are all signs that a plan should be created or reviewed. Even an outdated plan is often better than no plan at all, but regular updates are essential to ensure documents reflect current wishes and circumstances. Peace of Mind for the Future Estate planning is ultimately an act of responsibility and care. It reduces uncertainty, eases stress for loved ones, and ensures that your wishes, rather than default legal rules, guide important decisions. No matter your age or financial situation, having a thoughtful estate plan in place can make a meaningful difference. It is not about preparing for the worst. It is about protecting what matters most. Ryan F. Villano is an associate attorney at Farrar & Williams, PLLC, a law firm focusing its practice on trusts, estate planning, and elder law. The firm is located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Road, Suite 202, Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information or to schedule a complimentary 30-minute estate planning consultation, call (501) 525-4401 or email ryan@farrarwilliams.com.
November 24, 2025
If you pass away in Arkansas without leaving a valid will, you are considered to have died “intestate.” In that case, Arkansas intestacy laws, not your personal wishes, control how your property is divided, who manages your estate and who cares for your minor children. Under Arkansas law, the distribution of property without a will depends on your family situation. If you are married with children, your spouse does not automatically receive everything. Instead, your spouse typically inherits one-third of your personal property and a life estate in one-third of your real estate, while the remainder passes directly to your children in equal shares. If you are married but have no children, your spouse may inherit all of your personal property and a life estate in your real estate, but if your parents, siblings, or nieces and nephews are living, they may also inherit part of your estate. If you have children but no surviving spouse, your entire estate passes to your children in equal shares, with grandchildren inheriting their parent’s share if a child has already passed away. Blended families face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, which makes having a will especially important. In Arkansas, stepchildren do not inherit from a stepparent under intestacy laws. This means that if you die without a will, your stepchildren will not receive any part of your estate, even if you raised them as your own or intended for them to share equally with your biological children. Similarly, without clear planning, children from a prior marriage and a current spouse may end up in conflict over how property is divided. A carefully drafted will allows you to provide for both your spouse and all children, biological and step, according to your wishes. In addition to determining who inherits your property, intestacy also affects who manages your estate. If you have a will, you get to appoint an executor, also called a personal representative, to handle probate, pay debts and distribute your assets. Without one, the court appoints someone, often a surviving spouse, adult child, or another relative. This can create delays, additional expenses, and sometimes conflict if family members disagree over who should serve. Perhaps the most serious consequence of dying without a will involves your minor children. A will allows you to designate a guardian, someone you trust to raise your children if something happens to you. Without that guidance, the court must decide who will serve as guardian, and the result may not reflect your wishes. The burden on your family can be significant when there is no will in place. Fortunately, these problems are preventable. By creating a valid Arkansas will, you can decide exactly who should inherit your property, appoint a trusted person to manage your estate, and choose the guardian who will raise your children. Even better, a comprehensive estate plan that includes not only a will but also trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives can provide further protection and peace of mind. Bottom line: If you die without a will in Arkansas, state law decides what happens, and the results may not be what you intended. Taking the time to create a will ensures that your wishes are followed, your family is protected, and your legacy is preserved. 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 501525-4401 or visit our website at www.farrarwilliams.com.
November 24, 2025
Many people make costly estate planning mistakes when it comes to individual retirement accounts. Unlike other assets, IRAs and 401(k)s are not typically covered by a will or a standard type of trust. Instead, the funds go to inheritors according to beneficiary designation forms that are on file with the IRA custodian. Oftentimes individuals do not know who is listed on their beneficiary forms because the account and beneficiary designations were created many years ago. It is a good idea to make sure all of your beneficiary forms are in order and up to date. You should check the designation on file to make sure it’s what you intend. You should also be sure to name both primary and contingent beneficiaries on your plans in case the primary beneficiary predeceases you. You can name any beneficiaries you want with an IRA or 401(k), including family members, friends, a trust or charity. Alternatively, with a 401(k) or other workplace plan, your spouse must give written permission for you to leave the account to anyone else. If there is no beneficiary form on file, your heirs must use the IRA custodian’s default policy. This may also mean someone other than the person you intended will receive your IRA (i.e. your heirs- at-law). Typically the custodian will award an IRA first to a living spouse and then to your estate. Sometimes the custodian may send it straight to the estate, which will cut short the tax benefits and most likely require a probate proceeding. If you list your children as beneficiaries, it is often a good idea to provide for “per stirpes” distributions (if the form allows this designation). This means that if your child predeceases you, their children would become the beneficiaries, instead of your other children, or the co-beneficiaries. Sometimes clients wish to leave their IRA to a trust to accept retirement assets. There can be many reasons for leaving your IRA to a trust, which include: • If your intended beneficiaries are minors. • If you are fearful of creditors or in-laws. • If you wish to control the cash flow to beneficiaries with money management problems. • Second-marriage planning. Many complex IRS rules govern IRA trusts. Therefore, it is critical that you speak with your trusted advisors to ensure that an IRA trust meets your goals as well as the government criteria. Regardless of who you ultimately decide to name as beneficiary of your retirement accounts or plans, it is crucial that those assets make their way to your intended beneficiary. A proper beneficiary designation form should accomplish this. 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, and can be contacted at 501-5254401 or by email at wesley@farrarwilliams. com. The firm’s website is farrarwilliams. com.
Recent Blog Posts
February 16, 2026
For many people, the phrase estate planning conjures images of sprawling estates, complex trusts, and wealthy families and individuals. In reality, estate planning is something almost every adult should consider, regardless of income or asset level. At its core, estate planning is about control, protection, and peace of mind for you and for the people you care about most. Estate planning involves making legal arrangements for what happens to your property, finances, and personal decisions if you pass away or become unable to manage your affairs. Without a plan in place, those decisions are often left to the courts, state law, or family members who may not agree on what should be done. What Happens Without a Plan When someone dies without an estate plan, their estate is typically handled through probate, which is a court-supervised process that determines who inherits property, who pays debts, and who has authority to act on behalf of the estate. While probate is not always inappropriate or avoidable, it can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally draining for families, particularly when no clear instructions exist. Incapacity planning is another commonly overlooked issue. If a person becomes ill or injured and is unable to make decisions, a court may appoint a guardian or conservator to manage financial or personal affairs. With proper planning, this process can often be avoided entirely. The Core Pieces of an Estate Plan A basic estate plan often includes several key documents: A Will , which directs how property should be distributed and who should manage the estate Powers of Attorney , which allow a trusted individual to handle financial or legal matters if you are unable to do so Healthcare Directives , which outline medical wishes and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf Trusts , in certain situations, which can be used to manage assets, protect beneficiaries, or reduce court involvement Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. A young professional, a married couple, a blended family, and a retiree will all have different needs. The goal is clarity, not unnecessary complexity. More Than Money While finances are an important part of the process, estate planning involves far more than deciding who receives what. It allows parents to nominate guardians for minor children, helps protect beneficiaries with special needs, and provides guidance that can prevent family conflict during an already difficult time. Estate planning also gives individuals the opportunity to plan for long-term care, nursing home expenses, and medical decision-making. These are issues that affect far more families than many expect. When to Start and When to Update The best time to create an estate plan is before you need one. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, purchasing property, or changes in health are all signs that a plan should be created or reviewed. Even an outdated plan is often better than no plan at all, but regular updates are essential to ensure documents reflect current wishes and circumstances. Peace of Mind for the Future Estate planning is ultimately an act of responsibility and care. It reduces uncertainty, eases stress for loved ones, and ensures that your wishes, rather than default legal rules, guide important decisions. No matter your age or financial situation, having a thoughtful estate plan in place can make a meaningful difference. It is not about preparing for the worst. It is about protecting what matters most. Ryan F. Villano is an associate attorney at Farrar & Williams, PLLC, a law firm focusing its practice on trusts, estate planning, and elder law. The firm is located at 1720 Higdon Ferry Road, Suite 202, Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information or to schedule a complimentary 30-minute estate planning consultation, call (501) 525-4401 or email ryan@farrarwilliams.com.
November 24, 2025
If you pass away in Arkansas without leaving a valid will, you are considered to have died “intestate.” In that case, Arkansas intestacy laws, not your personal wishes, control how your property is divided, who manages your estate and who cares for your minor children. Under Arkansas law, the distribution of property without a will depends on your family situation. If you are married with children, your spouse does not automatically receive everything. Instead, your spouse typically inherits one-third of your personal property and a life estate in one-third of your real estate, while the remainder passes directly to your children in equal shares. If you are married but have no children, your spouse may inherit all of your personal property and a life estate in your real estate, but if your parents, siblings, or nieces and nephews are living, they may also inherit part of your estate. If you have children but no surviving spouse, your entire estate passes to your children in equal shares, with grandchildren inheriting their parent’s share if a child has already passed away. Blended families face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning, which makes having a will especially important. In Arkansas, stepchildren do not inherit from a stepparent under intestacy laws. This means that if you die without a will, your stepchildren will not receive any part of your estate, even if you raised them as your own or intended for them to share equally with your biological children. Similarly, without clear planning, children from a prior marriage and a current spouse may end up in conflict over how property is divided. A carefully drafted will allows you to provide for both your spouse and all children, biological and step, according to your wishes. In addition to determining who inherits your property, intestacy also affects who manages your estate. If you have a will, you get to appoint an executor, also called a personal representative, to handle probate, pay debts and distribute your assets. Without one, the court appoints someone, often a surviving spouse, adult child, or another relative. This can create delays, additional expenses, and sometimes conflict if family members disagree over who should serve. Perhaps the most serious consequence of dying without a will involves your minor children. A will allows you to designate a guardian, someone you trust to raise your children if something happens to you. Without that guidance, the court must decide who will serve as guardian, and the result may not reflect your wishes. The burden on your family can be significant when there is no will in place. Fortunately, these problems are preventable. By creating a valid Arkansas will, you can decide exactly who should inherit your property, appoint a trusted person to manage your estate, and choose the guardian who will raise your children. Even better, a comprehensive estate plan that includes not only a will but also trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives can provide further protection and peace of mind. Bottom line: If you die without a will in Arkansas, state law decides what happens, and the results may not be what you intended. Taking the time to create a will ensures that your wishes are followed, your family is protected, and your legacy is preserved. 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 501525-4401 or visit our website at www.farrarwilliams.com.
November 24, 2025
Many people make costly estate planning mistakes when it comes to individual retirement accounts. Unlike other assets, IRAs and 401(k)s are not typically covered by a will or a standard type of trust. Instead, the funds go to inheritors according to beneficiary designation forms that are on file with the IRA custodian. Oftentimes individuals do not know who is listed on their beneficiary forms because the account and beneficiary designations were created many years ago. It is a good idea to make sure all of your beneficiary forms are in order and up to date. You should check the designation on file to make sure it’s what you intend. You should also be sure to name both primary and contingent beneficiaries on your plans in case the primary beneficiary predeceases you. You can name any beneficiaries you want with an IRA or 401(k), including family members, friends, a trust or charity. Alternatively, with a 401(k) or other workplace plan, your spouse must give written permission for you to leave the account to anyone else. If there is no beneficiary form on file, your heirs must use the IRA custodian’s default policy. This may also mean someone other than the person you intended will receive your IRA (i.e. your heirs- at-law). Typically the custodian will award an IRA first to a living spouse and then to your estate. Sometimes the custodian may send it straight to the estate, which will cut short the tax benefits and most likely require a probate proceeding. If you list your children as beneficiaries, it is often a good idea to provide for “per stirpes” distributions (if the form allows this designation). This means that if your child predeceases you, their children would become the beneficiaries, instead of your other children, or the co-beneficiaries. Sometimes clients wish to leave their IRA to a trust to accept retirement assets. There can be many reasons for leaving your IRA to a trust, which include: • If your intended beneficiaries are minors. • If you are fearful of creditors or in-laws. • If you wish to control the cash flow to beneficiaries with money management problems. • Second-marriage planning. Many complex IRS rules govern IRA trusts. Therefore, it is critical that you speak with your trusted advisors to ensure that an IRA trust meets your goals as well as the government criteria. Regardless of who you ultimately decide to name as beneficiary of your retirement accounts or plans, it is crucial that those assets make their way to your intended beneficiary. A proper beneficiary designation form should accomplish this. 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, and can be contacted at 501-5254401 or by email at wesley@farrarwilliams. com. The firm’s website is farrarwilliams. com.
