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Clark County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Clark County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Clark County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Clark County Clerk's office, the probate clerk for the Clark County Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | Clark County Clerk, 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 |
| Mailing address | 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 |
| Phone | (870) 246-4491 |
| Fax | (870) 246-6505 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No midday closure or filing cutoff is posted for the Clark County Clerk. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted in 2013 Act 282, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328 and unchanged by 2025 Acts 371 and 989. As of August 2026, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee filing fee is $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 for each certified copy under the same section. |
| Local forms | Clark County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on the County Clerk page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's 33 Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Clark County Clerk whether this court will register them and, if not, should file in person at the courthouse in Arkadelphia or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the statewide case information portal. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Phone or video attendance depends on the circuit judge and the Ninth East administrative plan. Ask the Clark County Clerk before planning around a remote hearing. |
| Website | https://clarkcountyar.gov/county-clerk/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Clark County, list what the person owned, what was owed, whether there is an original will, and whether any asset already has a beneficiary, joint owner, or payable-on-death designation. That asset review usually decides whether the estate settlement needs full probate filings or a narrower Arkansas affidavit route.
Sunset helps families search across more than 2,300 institutions for accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property, so the Clark County filing starts with a more complete picture of the estate.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Clark County is filed at the Clark County Courthouse in Arkadelphia, in the probate division of the Clark County Circuit Court. The filing counter for decedent estates is the Clark County Clerk's office at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.
Clark County sits alone in Arkansas's Ninth Judicial Circuit, 9th East, so a Clark County probate case stays at the Clark County courthouse. Arkansas venue is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102: probate is filed where the decedent resided in Arkansas, or, for a nonresident, where the greater part in value of the Arkansas property is located. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred under A.C.A. § 28-40-102.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, asset information, debts, addresses for heirs and devisees, and any information needed for estate settlement.
- Check timing before preparing the packet. Arkansas generally requires the application to admit a will or grant administration to be made within five years of death under A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing path. If the estate qualifies, a distributee may file an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee after 45 days have elapsed, when the estate is $100,000 or under after encumbrances and after excluding the homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101. Otherwise, prepare a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative, or a petition for appointment of an administrator.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary official probate form that fits the case and add the statewide probate cover sheet. If a nonresident personal representative is involved, review the official Designation of Process Agent form.
- File the petition and cover sheet with the Clark County Clerk's office at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia. As of August 2026, the estate-opening fee is $165.00, consisting of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 plus $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. Ask the court about a Rule 72 in forma pauperis request if the filing fee cannot be paid.
- Handle notice and hearing issues. Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, a hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases. Ask the Clark County Clerk how the circuit judge is scheduling the matter and whether phone or video attendance will be allowed.
- After the court appoints the personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the seal of the court under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- Publish the notice of appointment and serve required copies. Arkansas's claims bar runs six months from the first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111, and copies must also be served within one month after first publication on known heirs, devisees, and reasonably ascertainable unpaid creditors, including the Department of Human Services when required by that section.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, protecting property, addressing claims, paying expenses and taxes, and keeping information needed for the inventory and accounting.
- When administration is complete, file the required accounting or closing papers, distribute remaining property under the court's orders, and seek discharge of the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Clark County
Clark County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on the County Clerk page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms, including the decedent-estate forms for petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
The statewide probate cover sheet should be included with a Clark County filing. If you are unsure which statewide form matches the estate settlement, speak with a probate attorney before filing because the clerk can accept filings but cannot choose legal forms for you.
Local nuance
Clark County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| The County Clerk is the probate clerk | Use the Clark County Clerk's office at (870) 246-4491 for probate filings. The circuit clerk is a separate office in the same building and is not the probate filing counter for decedent estates. |
| Clark County is the whole 9th East circuit | The Ninth Judicial Circuit, 9th East, is composed of Clark County alone. Probate filings for Clark County stay in Arkadelphia. |
| Both clerk offices are on the second floor | The address alone can be confusing because both clerk offices use 401 Clay Street, Second Floor. For probate, use the County Clerk's phone and fax: (870) 246-4491 and (870) 246-6505. |
| No separate probate scheduling page is posted | Ask the Clark County Clerk how the circuit judge is setting any hearing and whether phone or video attendance will be allowed in your case. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal Aid coverage changed on January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole statewide Legal Services Corporation provider for Arkansas. Families should use Legal Aid of Arkansas's statewide intake, while understanding that it may not take estate-administration matters. |
| eFlex rejection policy took effect December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary's electronic filing portal announced an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy tied to Administrative Order No. 21. Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. |
| eFlex subscription billing ends June 5, 2026 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced that subscription-based payments in eFlex are being discontinued. Other payment methods remain available through the filing portal. |
| Search ARCourts is the public case information portal | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the statewide portal for public case information. Document availability varies by court. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Clark County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking title, beneficiary designations, and whether the home passes outside probate. If a Clark County filing is still needed, use the County Clerk's office in Arkadelphia. The homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101 can affect the Arkansas affidavit calculation under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues, debts, and documents before the spouse chooses an estate settlement path. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have elapsed and the estate qualifies under the $100,000 rule in A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the Clark County Clerk, and certified copies can then be used with banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask about the Designation of Process Agent form and hearing logistics. | Sunset helps assemble asset details, generate a probate packet, and connect the family with Arkansas counsel when a filing or appearance is needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Arkansas affidavit route can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but a sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102. File through the Clark County Clerk and ask how any hearing will be scheduled. | Sunset helps organize property, liens, accounts, and attorney handoff so the estate settlement can move toward sale and distribution. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clark County Clerk | Local filing counter for Clark County probate filings, filing logistics, hours, and hearing questions. | https://clarkcountyar.gov/county-clerk/ and (870) 246-4491 |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Statewide forms for decedent estates, including petitions, notices, letters, inventories, accountings, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Statewide probate cover sheet | Cover sheet to include with probate filings in the circuit court probate division. | https://arcourts.gov/sites/default/files/formatted-files/PR_cover_Nov_2023.pdf |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including small-estate materials tied to A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information search. Search ARCourts is at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad, and document availability varies by court. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide intake for income-restricted civil legal help. It may not take estate-administration matters, but eligible families can ask about available help. | 1-800-952-9243 and https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the will is contested, heirs disagree, real property must be sold, a creditor issue is likely, the estate may need letters quickly, or you are unsure whether the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 fits the assets. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance, and other assets that can shape the Clark County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information families gather and helps prepare a probate packet using the Arkansas statewide forms and the Clark County filing details.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal judgment, a real property sale, a contested filing, or court appearances, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement steps, organize documents, and decide what needs to be filed with the Clark County Clerk.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Clark County, Arkansas?
File Clark County probate papers with the Clark County Clerk's office at 401 Clay Street, Second Floor, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. The case is in the probate division of the Clark County Circuit Court.
Is the Clark County Circuit Clerk the probate filing counter?
No. Clark County uses the Clark County Clerk's office as the probate clerk for decedent-estate filings. Use (870) 246-4491 for probate filing questions.
How much does it cost to open probate in Clark County?
As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, consisting of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted in 2013 Act 282, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328 and unchanged by 2025 Acts 371 and 989. As of August 2026, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 to file under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, with certified copies at $5.00 each under that same section.
Does Clark County have its own probate forms?
Clark County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on the County Clerk page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet.
Can I e-file a Clark County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Clark County Clerk whether this court will register them and, if not, should file in person at the Arkadelphia courthouse or by mail.
Will there be a hearing in a Clark County probate case?
Under A.C.A. § 28-40-110, a hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases. Ask the Clark County Clerk how the circuit judge is scheduling your matter.
Can I attend a Clark County probate hearing by phone or video?
Phone or video attendance depends on the circuit judge and the Ninth East administrative plan. Ask the Clark County Clerk before making travel plans.
How do I look up a Clark County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide case information, but document availability varies by court.
Do I have to travel to Arkadelphia for estate settlement?
Not always. Some filings can be mailed, attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov, and some uncontested matters may be handled without an appearance. If a hearing is set, ask the Clark County Clerk whether phone or video attendance will be allowed.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.