Your Estate Plan and Your Funeral Arrangements in Arkansas – 3 Tips

A good estate plan contains everything you need to not only ensure your property goes to whom you wish to receive it, but also covers what you want to happen to your body after you die. In Arkansas, you have the ability to take steps to state in detail as to what your funeral wishes are, and make sure someone has the legal authority to see they are followed.

 

Tip 1: Make your choices known. A good funeral plan starts by discussing your desires with your family and friends. Once you make your wishes clear, you can then ask someone to act as your agent to carry them out.

 

Tip 2: Give someone the authority to carry out your wishes. Arkansas law allows residents the right to designate someone else as their agent to carry out their funeral arrangements by creating a “Directions for Disposition” form. The law requires that you create or fill out a form stating who your agent is, what your wishes are and then sign the document. You must have two witnesses sign it as well.

 

Tip 3: Make arrangements with a funeral director. A good funeral director can walk you through the process and forms you need to fill out when making your funeral plans. However, there are specific laws that apply to funerals and pre-paid funeral plans.  It is important that you consult with your attorney when you are making funeral arrangements so that you can incorporate it into your overall estate plan.