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Johnson County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Johnson County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Johnson County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Johnson County Clerk's office, phone (479) 754-3967 |
| Courthouse address | Johnson County Courthouse, 215 W Main St, Clarksville, AR 72830 |
| Mailing address | Johnson County Clerk, P.O. Box 57, Clarksville, AR 72830. The separate circuit clerk uses a different box, P.O. Box 189. |
| Fax | (479) 754-2286 |
| Hours | Weekdays, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is published. |
| Filing fee | Current 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. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 per certified copy. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Johnson County does not publish a separate probate packet on the county clerk or circuit clerk pages. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Johnson County Clerk whether this court will register them, with in-person or mail filing as the fallback. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides free statewide case information. Online document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk before planning phone or video participation. The circuit judge and the Fifth Judicial Circuit's administrative plan control hearing practice. |
| Website | johnsoncounty.arkansas.gov/county-clerk/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Johnson County, list the assets, debts, title documents, account statements, and known creditors. The right estate settlement path depends on what the decedent owned, how each asset is titled, whether a will exists, and whether the estate needs letters to deal with banks, real estate, or buyers.
Sunset can help build that starting inventory with asset discovery across more than 2,300 institutions, then organize what belongs in the Johnson County filing packet. That preparation makes the estate settlement conversation with the county clerk or an attorney more concrete.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Johnson County is filed with the Johnson County Clerk's office at the Johnson County Courthouse, 215 W Main St, Clarksville, AR 72830, or by mail to P.O. Box 57, Clarksville, AR 72830. Johnson County shares Arkansas's Fifth Judicial Circuit with Franklin and Pope counties, but a Johnson County estate is filed in Clarksville.
Arkansas venue is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The starting point is the county where the decedent lived at death; if the decedent did not live in Arkansas, venue looks to the county with the greater part in value of Arkansas property, then the county of death, and then a county where the personal representative could maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a misfiled case is transferred rather than dismissed.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, the asset list, debts, names and addresses of heirs and devisees, and any documents showing how real estate or accounts are titled.
- Check the Arkansas timing rules before choosing the path. A will or administration generally must be presented within five years after death, subject to the statute's exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Decide whether the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee fits. Current as of August 2026, that path is for an estate at or below $100,000 after encumbrances, excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, and only after 45 days have passed since death (A.C.A. § 28-41-101; A.C.A. § 28-39-101).
- If full administration is needed, prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate petition form, the acceptance and related forms, and the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Johnson County Clerk's office at the courthouse in Clarksville, or ask the clerk about mailing the packet to P.O. Box 57. Current 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. Ask the court about a Rule 72 in forma pauperis request if the filing fee cannot be paid.
- Watch for hearing instructions. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and is discretionary otherwise (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk before planning any phone or video participation.
- After the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment and serve required copies on heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required. Claims are barred six months from the first publication if not properly presented (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, filing any required inventory or accounting, paying allowed claims and taxes, making distributions, and seeking final discharge from the court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Johnson County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes statewide Official Probate Forms for decedent estates, including petitions for appointment, petitions for probate of a will and appointment of a personal representative, proof of will, bond, acceptance, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee.
Johnson County does not publish a separate probate packet on the county clerk or circuit clerk pages. Use the statewide probate cover sheet with the probate forms, and call the Johnson County Clerk's office before filing if you are unsure which forms apply to your estate settlement.
Local nuance
Johnson County-specific considerations
Johnson County has two separate clerk offices in the same courthouse, and probate filings go to the Johnson County Clerk's office. The circuit clerk's office has a separate phone and mailing address and is not the probate filing counter for Johnson County estates.
For probate mail, use Johnson County Clerk, P.O. Box 57, Clarksville, AR 72830. Do not use the circuit clerk's separate P.O. Box 189 for a probate filing unless the Johnson County Clerk specifically instructs you to do so.
Recent updates
| Change | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage changed statewide | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties on January 1, 2026. |
| eFlex rejection policy | The Arkansas Judiciary eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect December 9, 2025. Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. |
| eFlex subscription billing | Subscription-based payments in eFlex end June 5, 2026. Other payment methods remain available. |
| Statewide case search | Arkansas is retiring its older public case-search portal in favor of Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Johnson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking the deed and account titles. If assets pass outside the estate, the Johnson County filing may be limited. If an estate filing is needed, use the Johnson County Clerk's office in Clarksville. Homestead and statutory allowances matter when evaluating the affidavit path (A.C.A. § 28-41-101; A.C.A. § 28-39-101). | Sunset helps identify titled assets, accounts, debts, and documents so the spouse can decide whether estate settlement needs a court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate fits the current August 2026 $100,000 rule after encumbrances and exclusions, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the Johnson County Clerk, and certified copies are used with banks or others holding property (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If letters are needed, use the full administration path. | Sunset organizes the asset list, helps generate the packet, and can connect the child with local counsel if a Johnson County hearing or real estate issue makes travel or representation important. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit path can include real property, but real property adds publication and creditor timing under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. A sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration, issued after appointment under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, so full administration may be the cleaner path. | Sunset helps assemble deed, mortgage, account, and creditor information, then helps the parent decide whether to file the affidavit or build a full Johnson County estate settlement packet. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Johnson County Clerk's office | Probate filing counter for Johnson County. Courthouse: 215 W Main St, Clarksville, AR 72830. Mail: P.O. Box 57, Clarksville, AR 72830. Phone: (479) 754-3967. Fax: (479) 754-2286. Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Free statewide probate forms for petitions, notices, letters, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. |
| Statewide probate cover sheet | The statewide probate cover sheet should be included with the probate filing packet. |
| Arkansas Law Help | Statewide legal-information site with a small-estate packet tied to A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. Document availability varies by court. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide intake at 1-800-952-9243 and arlegalaid.org. It is income-restricted and may not take estate matters. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring an Arkansas probate attorney if the will is disputed, heirs disagree, real estate must be sold, a creditor issue is unclear, a nonresident will serve, or the estate needs letters quickly. Counsel can also help decide whether the Johnson County affidavit path is enough or whether full administration is safer. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify accounts, balances, debts, and other assets that shape the Johnson County estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized Arkansas probate packet, including the forms and supporting details needed for the Johnson County Clerk's office.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney familiar with circuit court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand the next steps, and decide whether to file on their own or work with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Johnson County, Arkansas?
File with the Johnson County Clerk's office at the Johnson County Courthouse, 215 W Main St, Clarksville, AR 72830. Probate for Johnson County is in the probate division of the Johnson County Circuit Court.
Is Johnson County probate filed with the circuit clerk?
Use the Johnson County Clerk's office for probate filings. The separate circuit clerk has a different phone number and a different mailing address.
How much does it cost to open a Johnson County estate?
Current 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. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 per certified copy.
Can I e-file a Johnson County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are filing without counsel, ask the Johnson County Clerk whether this court will register you for e-filing. If not, ask about filing in person or by mail.
Will there be a hearing in my Johnson County case?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and is discretionary otherwise (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). The clerk can tell you how the court will send scheduling instructions.
Can I attend a Johnson County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Johnson County Clerk before making travel plans. Phone or video participation is controlled by the circuit judge and the Fifth Judicial Circuit's administrative plan.
How do I look up a Johnson County probate case?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides free statewide case information, although document availability varies by court.
Where do I get Johnson County probate forms?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Johnson County does not publish a separate probate packet on the county clerk or circuit clerk pages.
Do I have to travel to Clarksville to start estate settlement?
Start by calling the Johnson County Clerk's office at (479) 754-3967. The mailing address for probate filings is P.O. Box 57, Clarksville, AR 72830, but you should ask the clerk how to handle originals, fees, certified copies, and any hearing instructions before mailing the packet.
How long do creditors have in Arkansas probate?
After letters are granted, the personal representative publishes notice. Claims are barred six months from the first publication if they are not properly presented (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.