Crippen Legal Services

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Fort Smith, AR
Crippen Legal Services

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Small town Arkansas attorney practicing family law and estate planning. Present, prepared, and honest. Our small size increases our availability.

Helping people navigate change and protect their future with clarity and care. Crippen Legal Services is a small-town law firm focused on meeting you when and where it is convenient for you. Our reasonable retainers and payment plans allow more people to access the judicial system.

11/01/2026

When people start asking about trusts, the next question is usually who would manage it.

The person managing it is called the trustee. The original Trustee is typically you (and your spouse). Trustees handle paperwork, follow the rules of the trust, and manage the assets owned by the trust over time.

Message us if you want help thinking through who your Successor Trustee should be.

10/31/2026

This time of year, a lot of things get dressed up to look scarier than they really are.

Estate planning has a bit of that reputation too, people picture thick binders and complicated decisions, when most plans start with just a few core documents in plain language.

You don't need a large estate or a complicated life to make it worth doing. If you've been putting it off, reach out. It's more manageable than people expect.

10/30/2026

Most people assume that if something happened to them tomorrow (an accident, a hospital stay, anything that kept them out of commission for a while), someone close to them could just step in and handle bills, banking, and paperwork.

Banks and courts don't always see it that way without the right document in place. That's what a durable power of attorney actually does: it names who can act on your behalf ahead of time.

Call us if you need to update yours.

10/29/2026

Halloween has tricks and treats. Your first meeting with us has neither.

No trick questions, no need to have everything figured out beforehand, and no scary surprises about cost or how the process works. You come in, we ask a few questions, we explain what applies to your situation, and we go from there together. Most people leave more relieved than they expected.

Send us a message when you're ready to get on the calendar.

10/28/2026

One thing people don’t realize is that having a will does not automatically avoid probate.

A will gives direction, but the court may still have steps that must be followed. We can explain what probate might look like in your situation and explain the steps to minimize the impact on your family.

If you want to understand what applies to your situation, let's talk it through.

10/27/2026

Life changes like marriage, divorce, new property, a new child, or health changes can mean documents need updates.

If you review insurance and finances each year, it makes sense to review your estate plan too.

If it's been a while since your plan's had a look, we're glad to help you review it.

10/26/2026

Every October, a few spooky myths about wills make the rounds, most of them more legend than fact.

One popular one: if you die without a will, the state just takes everything. Not true. Arkansas law does have a set order for who inherits, it just may not match what you'd actually choose, especially for unmarried partners or blended families. No ghost stories required, a simple plan puts your real wishes in writing.

Give us a call if you want to make sure your family isn't left guessing.

10/25/2026

Guardianship isn't only for minors.

Families sometimes need it for an adult loved one who can no longer safely make decisions because of illness, injury, or cognitive decline. Courts generally want to see that less restrictive options were considered first, and that the person's own wishes stay part of the picture wherever possible.

It's worth understanding what's involved before you're in the middle of a crisis.

We're glad to walk through what applies to your family's situation.

10/24/2026

People worry estate planning will be expensive, so they wait.

What families often discover later is that the bigger cost is time, stress, and paperwork on the other side. Planning now is often about saving your family from having to sort everything out without direction.

If cost is what's holding you back, let's talk through your options.

10/23/2026

Probate can take longer when paperwork is missing, accounts are hard to track down, property has to be handled, or there are disagreements.

Court dockets and attorney calendars can frustrate the amount of time required to complete the steps to close an estate.

The best first step is getting organized and getting clear on what the court will need. Call us if you want help figuring out what to do first.

Address

120 Belle Avenue
Fort Smith, AR
72901

Telephone

+14792591756

Website

http://crippenlegalservices.com/

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