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Jefferson County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Jefferson County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Jefferson County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Jefferson County Clerk, 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601 |
| Phone | (870) 541-5322 |
| Fax | (870) 541-5324 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Mailing | Call the Jefferson County Clerk before mailing a probate filing. The published probate counter address is 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. |
| Judicial circuit | Arkansas's Eleventh West Judicial Circuit, serving Jefferson and Lincoln counties |
| Filing fee | $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, approved March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is handled separately under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | Jefferson County links a small-estate information page and a county-hosted copy of the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Arkansas also publishes statewide Official Probate Forms and a probate cover sheet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Jefferson County Clerk whether this court will register them and, if not, how the clerk wants the filing delivered in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Jefferson County Clerk and check the Eleventh West Judicial Circuit administrative plan before assuming that a probate hearing may be attended by phone or video. |
| Website | https://www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/government/county-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Jefferson County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, beneficiary designations, and accounts that may pass outside the estate. That list determines whether estate settlement can use an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 or needs full administration in the probate division.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions, helping families find accounts before they choose forms, pay filing fees, or ask the Jefferson County Clerk about the next local filing step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Jefferson County is filed in Pine Bluff with the Jefferson County Clerk, Suite 101, for the probate division of the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The court sits in Arkansas's Eleventh West Judicial Circuit, but a Jefferson County estate is filed at the Jefferson County courthouse counter, not in another county.
Arkansas venue is set by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The usual filing county is where the decedent lived at death. If the decedent did not live in Arkansas, venue can depend on where the greater part in value of Arkansas property is located, where the decedent died, or where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than dismissed.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the original will if there is one, a list of heirs and devisees, asset information, debts, and any Jefferson County real estate information needed for the petition.
- Check the five-year outer limit. Arkansas generally does not admit a will or grant administration unless application is made within five years from death under A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing route. If 45 days have passed, no personal representative has been appointed, and the estate fits the affidavit requirements, use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise prepare a petition for full administration.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate form that fits the case, add the statewide probate cover sheet, and include any Jefferson County small-estate materials if you are using that local page.
- File with the Jefferson County Clerk at 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff. For a full decedent estate, bring the $165.00 opening fee, made up of the $150.00 fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted in 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, and the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009. Ask the court about in forma pauperis status under Rule 72 if the petitioner cannot afford filing costs.
- Handle notice and scheduling. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and otherwise is set only if the court fixes one under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the clerk how the Eleventh West Judicial Circuit handles any phone or video request before the hearing date.
- After the circuit judge appoints the personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal under A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- Publish the notice of appointment and serve required copies. Creditor claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111, and copies must be served on heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required by that statute.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, safeguarding property, addressing claims, paying approved expenses and taxes, and preparing any inventory or accounting the court requires.
- Finish estate settlement by seeking approval for distribution, making the distributions ordered or allowed, and obtaining discharge of the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Jefferson County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes statewide Official Probate Forms, including petition forms, proof of will, bond, acceptance, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory, accounting, claim, and Form 23 for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Jefferson County also posts its own small-estate information page and links a county-hosted copy of the affidavit form used for that filing under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
| Form item | How it applies in Jefferson County |
|---|---|
| Statewide probate cover sheet | Use the Arkansas probate cover sheet with a new Jefferson County probate filing. |
| Official Probate Forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary forms for petitions, letters, notices, inventory, accounting, and related probate steps. |
| Jefferson County small-estate information | Use the Jefferson County Clerk's local instructions for cash payment, certified copies, notarization, and amendment charges when filing the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
Fees
Jefferson County's local small-estate page adds practical payment details for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. These local details are separate from the $165.00 fee to open a full decedent estate, which comes from the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted in 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009.
| Fee item | Jefferson County practice |
|---|---|
| Small-estate cash payment | The Jefferson County Clerk's page posted on August 26, 2026 states $28.00 in cash, with no check or debit or credit card, including one certified copy, for the affidavit process under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| State small-estate statute | A.C.A. § 28-41-101 lists a $25.00 filing charge and $5.00 for each certified copy, carried forward in the statute before 2021 Act 423, approved March 23, 2021. Jefferson County's posted $28.00 cash total for one certified copy should be checked with the clerk before filing. |
| In-office notarization | The Jefferson County page posted on August 26, 2026 states that notarization can be done in the office by a deputy clerk for an additional $5.00. |
| Additional certified copies | The Jefferson County page posted on August 26, 2026 states that additional copies are $5.00 each. |
| Amended small-estate filing | The Jefferson County page posted on August 26, 2026 states that amending the affidavit carries a $10.00 fee. |
Local nuance
Jefferson County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Probate filing counter | Use the Jefferson County Clerk in Suite 101, not the Circuit Clerk in Suite 104, for decedent estate filings in the probate division. |
| Same courthouse area | The Jefferson County Clerk and Circuit Clerk are both listed at 101 Barraque Street in Pine Bluff, but their suite numbers and probate roles differ. |
| Local small-estate instructions | Jefferson County posts local instructions for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, including cash payment, one certified copy, notarization, and amendment charges. |
Small-estate Alternatives
Jefferson County has a local small-estate information page for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. The page says the filing must be at least 45 days after death, must include an original or copy of the death certificate, and must be notarized.
For the local payment step, the Jefferson County page posted on August 26, 2026 states $28.00 in cash, no check or debit or credit card, including one certified copy. It also states that an in-office notarization is an additional $5.00, additional copies are $5.00 each, and amending the affidavit is $10.00. Ask the Jefferson County Clerk to confirm the current total before you go to the courthouse.
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the single statewide Legal Services Corporation funded provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. Eligibility and case acceptance still depend on Legal Aid's rules. |
| December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect for filings through efile.arcourts.gov. |
| June 5, 2026 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced that subscription-based payment support in eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov ends on that date, with other payment methods remaining available. |
| Current case lookup | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is the statewide public case information portal for circuit court case information. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Jefferson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by confirming how the Pine Bluff or Jefferson County home is titled and whether any asset passes outside probate. If a probate filing is still needed, file with the Jefferson County Clerk in Suite 101. Homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101 can affect the analysis, so review them before choosing the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize title questions, and build an estate settlement checklist before the spouse chooses the Jefferson County filing path. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate fits A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the adult child can prepare the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee and file it with the Jefferson County Clerk. Jefferson County's local page requires cash payment and says one certified copy is included in its posted local total. | Sunset helps locate accounts, generate the probate packet, and flag when a certified copy or letters may be needed by a bank or other institution. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A.C.A. § 28-41-101 can cover real property when its requirements are met, but real property adds publication steps and a creditor window. If a sale needs letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, the parent should plan for a full Jefferson County filing and possible attorney help. | Sunset helps organize property, debts, and financial accounts, then connects the family with a local probate attorney when a home sale makes estate settlement more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County Clerk | Local filing counter for Jefferson County decedent estate filings, local small-estate instructions, and questions about current payment, copies, and delivery of filings. | 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, (870) 541-5322, https://www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/government/county-clerk |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Statewide probate forms and the probate cover sheet used for Arkansas probate filings. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including a small-estate packet that tracks A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide circuit court case information through caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Document availability varies by court. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Income-restricted civil legal help. Estate administration may not be within its accepted matters, so use the intake process to check eligibility and case fit. | 1-800-952-9243, https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can identify accounts, balances, and property before choosing a Jefferson County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's answers into an organized probate packet, including the documents needed to start with the Jefferson County Clerk and the statewide Arkansas forms that fit the case.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves real estate, disputes, creditor issues, or a court hearing, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset provides estate settlement guidance, asset discovery, probate document support, and attorney connections without charging families for access.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Jefferson County, Arkansas?
File decedent estate papers with the Jefferson County Clerk at 101 W. Barraque Street, Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. That office serves as the filing counter for the probate division of the Jefferson County Circuit Court.
Is Jefferson County probate filed with the Circuit Clerk or the County Clerk?
Use the Jefferson County Clerk for probate filings. The Circuit Clerk is in the same courthouse area, but Jefferson County's decedent estate filing counter is the County Clerk in Suite 101.
How much does it cost to open probate in Jefferson County?
The fee to open a full decedent estate is $165.00, made up of the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted in 2013 Act 282, approved March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009. Jefferson County's local affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee page has separate cash-payment instructions under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Does Jefferson County have a local small-estate form or instructions?
Yes. Jefferson County posts a small-estate information page and links a county-hosted affidavit form for the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. The page posted on August 26, 2026 states $28.00 cash with one certified copy included, $5.00 for in-office notarization, $5.00 for each additional copy, and $10.00 to amend the affidavit.
Can I e-file a Jefferson County probate case?
Attorneys file through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are representing yourself, ask the Jefferson County Clerk whether this court will register you for electronic filing and how the clerk wants you to deliver papers if it will not.
Will there be a hearing in a Jefferson County probate case?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed. Otherwise, the court may set one under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the Jefferson County Clerk how the Eleventh West Judicial Circuit handles scheduling for your filing.
Can I attend a Jefferson County probate hearing by phone or video?
Do not assume phone or video attendance. Ask the Jefferson County Clerk and check the Eleventh West Judicial Circuit administrative plan for the judge's current practice before the hearing date.
Can I look up a Jefferson County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for statewide circuit court case information. It provides public case information, while online document access varies by court and case.
What deadlines should I know for Jefferson County estate settlement?
Arkansas generally requires application to probate a will or grant administration within five years from death under A.C.A. § 28-40-103. After letters are granted, creditor claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
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.