Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Estate of Lewis

ROBERT L. Brown, Justice.

This case involves the issue of whether the probate court erred in ruling that the appellant, Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), was estopped from recouping Medicaid benefits paid to Ruby Lewis from her Estate. We agree with DHS that the probate court did err in this regard, and we reverse and remand.

Ruby L. Lewis died intestate on December 14, 1994, at the age of 73. She was survived by two daughters and two granddaughters, and her estate at the time of her death was valued at approximately $25,000. A petition to open her estate was filed on Decernber 20,…