Arkansas Code of 1987 (2024)
Title 28 - WILLS, ESTATES, AND FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIPS (§§ 28-1-101 — 28)
Subtitle 2 - DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION (§§ 28-8-101 — 28-15-115)
Chapter 9 - INTESTATE SUCCESSION (§§ 28-9-201 — 28-9-221)
Subchapter 2 - ARKANSAS INHERITANCE CODE OF 1969 (§§ 28-9-201 — 28-9-221)
Section 28-9-221 - Child conceived after death of parent

• (a) A child of a decedent who is conceived and born after the death of the decedent shall be deemed the legitimate child of the decedent for the purposes of intestate succession if:
  • (1) Either of the following apply:
    • (A) The decedent consented in a record to the use of his or her genetic material to posthumously conceive a child by assisted reproduction; or
    • (B) The intent of the decedent to conceive a child by assisted reproduction after the death of the decedent is established by clear and convincing evidence; and
  • (2) The embryo of the posthumously conceived child is in utero no later than twenty-four (24) months after the death of the decedent.

• (b)
  • (1) Within six (6) months of the death of a decedent, a person designated by the decedent to control the decedent's genetic material shall provide written notice advising the personal representative with the authority to control the distribution of the decedent's estate of the availability of the decedent's genetic material for possible use.
  • (2) Failure to provide the notice required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section in a timely manner shall absolve a personal representative with the authority to control the distribution of the decedent's estate from liability for distributing the decedent's estate as otherwise authorized by law after the six-month period to provide the notice lapses.
  • (3) If a personal representative with the authority to control the distribution of the decedent's estate receives the notice required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section before the six-month period to provide the notice lapses, the fiduciary shall retain any remaining assets of the decedent's estate to which a posthumous child of the decedent may have a valid claim until three (3) years after the death of the decedent.

• (c) Unless otherwise agreed by a decedent and his or her spouse, the consent of the decedent to posthumous conception with his or her spouse shall be automatically revoked upon the divorce of the decedent and his or her spouse.

Amended by Act 2021, No. 924,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.

Added by Act 2015, No. 1256,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.