(a) If, after a petition for the probate of a will or for the appointment of a general personal representative has been filed and before that petition has been heard, a petition for the probate of a will of the decedent not theretofore presented for probate is filed, the court shall hear both petitions together and determine what instruments, if any, should be admitted to probate or whether the decedent died intestate.
(b) If, after a will has been admitted to probate or after letters of administration have been granted, a petition for the probate of a will of the decedent not theretofore presented for probate is filed, the court shall determine whether the former probate or the former grant of letters should be revoked and whether the other will should be admitted to probate or whether the decedent died intestate.
(c) No will shall be admitted to probate under the provisions of this section unless it is presented for probate before the court orders or approves final distribution of the estate.
(d) When a will is presented for probate under the provisions of this section, the proceedings shall be deemed a part of the proceedings for probate or for administration already initiated.
(e) If notice by publication has been given as provided in § 28-40-110 or in § 28-40-111, no further notice by publication is necessary unless ordered by the court. However, notice of the hearing shall be given to each heir and to each devisee named and the executor nominated in this or in any other will offered for or admitted to probate whose place of residence is known, and notice shall be given to such other persons as the court may direct.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 28 - Wills, Estates, and Fiduciary Relationships
Subtitle 4 - Administration Of Decedents' Estates
Chapter 40 - Probate And Grant Of Administration
Subchapter 1 - Proceedings Generally
§ 28-40-101. Character of proceeding
§ 28-40-103. Time limit for probate and administration
§ 28-40-104. No will effectual until probated — Unprobated wills admitted as evidence
§ 28-40-105. Delivery of will by custodian
§ 28-40-106. Powers of nominated executor prior to appointment
§ 28-40-107. Petition for probate and appointment of personal representative
§ 28-40-108. Requests for notices
§ 28-40-109. Hearing on petition without notice
§ 28-40-110. Notice of hearing on petitions
§ 28-40-111. Notice of appointment of personal representative
§ 28-40-112. Search for alleged decedent
§ 28-40-113. Contest of will generally
§ 28-40-114. Notice of contest
§ 28-40-116. Will subsequently presented for probate
§ 28-40-118. Manner of taking testimony
§ 28-40-119. Conditions on which probate ordered and letters granted
§ 28-40-120. Probate of will of nonresident
§ 28-40-121. Finality of order — Conclusiveness of finding of death