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Cleveland County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Cleveland County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Cleveland County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk, the probate clerk for the Cleveland County Circuit Court |
| Courthouse address | Cleveland County Courthouse, 20 Magnolia St, Rison, AR 71665 |
| Mailing address | Cleveland County Clerk, PO Box 368, Rison, AR 71665 |
| Phone | (870) 325-6521 |
| Fax | (870) 325-6144 |
| [email protected]. Call before sending time-sensitive filings. | |
| Hours | Call (870) 325-6521 before traveling to Rison to confirm current counter hours. |
| 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 and the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. As of August 2026, $25.00 to file an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 for each certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | No separate Cleveland County probate packet is published on the county page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk whether this particular court will register them, and can otherwise file in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide public case information. Document availability depends on the court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk whether the circuit judge will allow a phone or video appearance. Local practice may also appear in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan. |
| Website | portal.arkansas.gov/counties/cleveland/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Cleveland County, identify the assets, debts, title documents, beneficiary designations, and any original will. Arkansas probate turns on what property still needs court authority, who is entitled to notice, and whether the family needs letters from the court.
Sunset's estate settlement process includes asset discovery across more than 2,300 institutions, which helps families find accounts before choosing a filing path. That inventory also helps decide whether the Cleveland County filing should be a full administration or an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Cleveland County is filed with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk at the Cleveland County Courthouse in Rison. Cleveland County sits in Arkansas's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit with Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Ouachita, and Union counties, but a Cleveland County estate is filed in Cleveland County, not at another county's courthouse.
Arkansas venue is controlled by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The usual filing county is where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, the rule looks to the Arkansas county holding the greater part in value of the decedent's Arkansas property, then to the county of death if there was no Arkansas residence or property, and then to a county where the personal representative could maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls, and a misfiled case is transferred rather than dismissed under A.C.A. § 28-40-102.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, asset and debt information, real-estate descriptions, account statements, and names and addresses for heirs, devisees, and known creditors.
- Check the filing deadline. Arkansas generally requires the application to admit a will to probate or grant administration to be made within five years from death under A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing path. If 45 days have passed since death and the estate qualifies as a small estate under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, including the $100,000 cap measured as of August 2026 less encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101, an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be available. Otherwise, prepare a full administration filing.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms that fit the case, such as a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or a petition for appointment of administrator. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk at the Cleveland County Courthouse, 20 Magnolia St, Rison, AR 71665, or mail the filing to PO Box 368, Rison, AR 71665. As of August 2026, the opening fee is $165.00, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. If you cannot afford the filing cost, ask about proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 72.
- Give required notice. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or if a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise the court may decide whether to set one under A.C.A. § 28-40-110.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- After letters are granted, publish the notice of appointment and serve copies on heirs, devisees, and known or reasonably ascertainable creditors within the time required by A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, protecting property, preparing any required inventory and accounting, addressing claims, paying allowed debts and taxes, and keeping records for the court.
- Creditors are generally barred six months from the first publication of the notice under A.C.A. § 28-40-111. After administration is complete, seek final distribution and discharge from the Cleveland County Circuit Court, probate division.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Cleveland County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes Official Probate Forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, notices, bonds, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory, accounting, claim forms, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Arkansas also uses a statewide probate cover sheet.
Cleveland County does not publish a separate local probate packet on its county page. For a Cleveland County estate, use the Arkansas Judiciary forms and cover sheet, then file with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk in Rison.
Local nuance
Cleveland County-specific considerations
Cleveland County is one of the Arkansas counties where one elected Clerk/Circuit Clerk holds both clerk roles, so probate filings go to a single counter in Rison. That local structure matters because Arkansas filing offices are not organized the same way in every county.
Cleveland County is also a single-courthouse county for probate filing. The second-courthouse rule for Arkansas counties with more than one local judicial district does not apply here, so a Cleveland County estate is filed at the courthouse in Rison.
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage, January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the statewide LSC-funded civil legal-aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties, including Cleveland County. Estate matters may be outside its priorities. |
| eFlex rejection policy, December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced an Electronic Filing Rejection Policy for eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov under Administrative Order No. 21. |
| eFlex billing, June 5, 2026 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced that subscription-based payments in eFlex end on June 5, 2026, while other payment methods remain available. |
| Case search | The Arkansas Judiciary is moving public case access to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Cleveland County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking title to the home and any beneficiary designations. If property still needs court authority, file in Rison with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk. The homestead and statutory allowances are part of the Arkansas small-estate calculation under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, title issues, and the documents needed to decide whether a court filing is required. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit is filed with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk in Rison, and certified copies can be used with banks or other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about mail filing and whether the judge will allow a phone or video appearance. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, prepare the filing packet, and connect the family with Arkansas counsel when letters or a hearing are needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale often requires letters from the court, even when the affidavit procedure under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 could apply to some property. File the petition and cover sheet with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk, then follow the court's notice, claims, and closing steps. | Sunset helps find the accounts, assemble estate settlement documents, and identify when a local probate attorney should handle the real-estate sale authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk | Receives Cleveland County probate filings, collects filing fees, issues certified copies, and issues letters after court appointment under A.C.A. § 28-48-102. | 20 Magnolia St, Rison, AR 71665. Mail to PO Box 368, Rison, AR 71665. Phone: (870) 325-6521. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Provides the Arkansas probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet used for circuit court probate division filings. | arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Provides public legal information, including a packet for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Lets users search public case information through the statewide portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Document availability depends on the court. | caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-restricted civil legal-aid intake. Estate matters may be outside its priorities, but eligible families can ask what help is available. | 1-800-952-9243. arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider talking with a probate attorney when family members disagree, the original will is unclear, real estate must be sold, creditor claims are expected, a nonresident will serve, or the estate needs letters quickly. Cleveland County filings still go through the Clerk/Circuit Clerk in Rison, but legal strategy and court papers may need counsel. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families search for bank, brokerage, retirement, insurance, and other accounts so the Cleveland County filing is based on a complete estate settlement picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized probate packet, including the forms and supporting details needed for the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Rison filing needs legal judgment, real-estate authority, contested-hearing support, or help with letters, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset is free to use for families handling estate settlement. Families can organize the estate, understand next steps, and decide whether attorney help is needed without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Cleveland County, Arkansas?
File with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk at the Cleveland County Courthouse, 20 Magnolia St, Rison, AR 71665. Mail filings to Cleveland County Clerk, PO Box 368, Rison, AR 71665.
Which clerk handles Cleveland County probate filings?
Cleveland County uses a combined Clerk/Circuit Clerk office. That office serves as the probate clerk for the Cleveland County Circuit Court, probate division, so there is one filing counter for probate in Rison.
How much does it cost to open a Cleveland County estate?
As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. As of August 2026, filing an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Can I e-file probate papers in Cleveland County?
Attorneys file through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are representing yourself, ask the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk whether this particular court will register you for e-filing. If not, use the in-person or mail filing options for the Rison courthouse.
Will I have to attend a hearing in Cleveland County?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed. Otherwise, the court may decide whether to set a hearing under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the clerk how the judge is handling the specific filing.
Can I attend a Cleveland County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk whether the circuit judge will allow a phone or video appearance in your case. Local practice may also appear in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan.
Can I look up a Cleveland County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for public case information. The portal provides statewide case access, but whether documents appear online depends on the court and the case.
Is there a Cleveland County probate form packet?
Cleveland County does not publish a separate local probate packet on its county page. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet, then file with the Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk.
Do I have to travel to Rison to start probate?
Not always. The Cleveland County Clerk/Circuit Clerk accepts filings for the Rison courthouse and can tell you whether your papers may be mailed and how payment should be handled. Call (870) 325-6521 before relying on mail or before traveling.
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.