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Monroe County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Monroe County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Monroe County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse | Monroe County Courthouse, 123 Madison Street, Clarendon, AR 72029 |
| Probate filings go to | Call the courthouse before filing because Monroe County has separate clerk offices in the same building. Circuit clerk: 870-747-3615. County clerk: 870-747-3632. |
| Mailing address | 123 Madison Street, Clarendon, AR 72029. Call before mailing an original will or filing packet. |
| Phone | Circuit clerk: 870-747-3615. County clerk: 870-747-3632. |
| Fax | Circuit clerk: 870-747-3710. County clerk: 870-747-5961. |
| Hours | Current public hours are not listed on the county state-hosted page. Call before traveling to Clarendon. |
| 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 per certified copy. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Monroe County does not maintain a separate probate form page. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Monroe County clerk whether that court will register them, and otherwise should plan to file in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad is free for statewide circuit case information. Online document access varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk whether the assigned circuit judge will allow phone or video participation. Local practice is set by the judge and the First Judicial Circuit administrative plan. |
| Website | County state-hosted page: https://portal.arkansas.gov/counties/monroe/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Monroe County, identify the assets, debts, title documents, beneficiary designations, and any original will. The choice between a full administration and an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee depends on what is actually in the estate, whether real property is involved, and whether letters will be needed.
For estate settlement planning, Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help locate accounts before you prepare the Monroe County filing packet. That matters in Clarendon because the clerk can accept filings, but the court cannot distribute assets that no one has identified.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Monroe County is filed at the Monroe County Courthouse in Clarendon, in the probate division of the Monroe County Circuit Court. Monroe County sits in Arkansas's First Judicial Circuit, with Cross, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff counties, but a Monroe County estate is filed in Monroe County, not at another county's courthouse.
Arkansas venue starts with the county where the decedent resided at death. If the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, venue is where the greater part in value of the Arkansas property is located. If the decedent had no Arkansas residence or property but died in Arkansas, venue is the county of death. If none of those apply, venue is any county where the personal representative could maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred rather than dismissed (A.C.A. § 28-40-102).
Monroe County is a single-courthouse county. It is not one of the Arkansas counties with two local filing districts.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if one exists, asset information, debt information, names and addresses of heirs and devisees, and title documents for any Monroe County real property.
- Check the Arkansas filing deadline. A will may not be admitted to probate and administration may not be granted unless application is made within five years from the decedent's death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the correct route. If the estate qualifies and 45 days have passed, an affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee may be filed with the probate clerk of the circuit court when the estate is $100,000 or under after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, as of August 2026 (A.C.A. § 28-41-101; A.C.A. § 28-39-101). Otherwise, prepare a petition for full administration.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate form that fits the case, such as the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or the petition for appointment of administrator, and add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- Call the Monroe County Courthouse before filing because the public pages do not identify whether the circuit clerk or county clerk serves as the probate clerk. Use the circuit clerk at 870-747-3615 or the county clerk at 870-747-3632, both at 123 Madison Street in Clarendon.
- File the packet at the correct Monroe County clerk counter and pay the filing fee. As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, consisting of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 plus $15.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk how to request in forma pauperis status under Rule 72.
- Handle notice and any hearing. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise the court may set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the assigned judge handles phone or video participation.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal after the required acceptance or bond step is satisfied (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- After letters issue, publish the notice of appointment. Claims must be presented within six months from first publication or they are forever barred, and copies must be served on heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when required (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer and close the estate. The personal representative inventories assets, manages claims, pays approved debts and taxes, accounts to the court as required, distributes property under the will or Arkansas law, and seeks final distribution and discharge.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Monroe County
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms for decedent estates, including the petition forms, proof of will, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notice forms, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. The statewide probate cover sheet should be included with the filing packet.
Monroe County does not maintain a separate probate form page. Because the county has both a circuit clerk and a county clerk in the courthouse, call 870-747-3615 or 870-747-3632 before filing to confirm which counter will accept the probate packet.
Local nuance
Monroe County-specific considerations
Monroe County's practical local wrinkle is the split between two elected clerk offices. The circuit clerk and county clerk are both at 123 Madison Street in Clarendon, but their phone and fax numbers are different. Public Monroe County pages list both offices and do not say which office serves as the probate clerk for decedent estates.
For that reason, do not mail an original will, check, or estate settlement packet without calling first. The circuit clerk can be reached at 870-747-3615, and the county clerk can be reached at 870-747-3632.
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal help coverage | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the statewide civil legal aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties on January 1, 2026. It is income-restricted and estate administration may be outside its priorities. |
| Electronic filing | The Arkansas Judiciary announced an eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy taking effect December 9, 2025, and announced that eFlex subscription billing ends June 5, 2026. |
| Case search | Arkansas public case lookup now points users to Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for statewide circuit case information. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Monroe County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking title to the home and any beneficiary designations. If assets still need court authority, file in Clarendon and consider whether the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee applies after 45 days, using the $100,000 calculation as of August 2026 that excludes the homestead and statutory allowances (A.C.A. § 28-41-101; A.C.A. § 28-39-101). | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize title and debt information, and generate a filing packet for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the Arkansas requirements are met, the affidavit is filed with the Monroe County probate clerk, and certified copies are then used with banks or other holders. As of August 2026, filing the affidavit costs $25.00 and certified copies are $5.00 each (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If full letters are needed, ask about Form 9, Designation of Process Agent, and ask whether the judge will allow phone or video participation. | Sunset helps sort assets, prepare the right court packet, and connect you with a local attorney if travel or real property issues make the case harder. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A real-property sale often requires full administration and letters, even though the Arkansas affidavit route can include real property when all requirements are met. If the affidavit route is used for an estate with real property, publication and the three-month creditor window under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 matter before relying on the affidavit for transfer. | Sunset helps gather property, debt, and account information so the family and attorney can choose the safest estate settlement path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe County courthouse clerks | Call before filing to learn which Clarendon counter accepts probate filings and to confirm current hours before traveling. | Circuit clerk: 870-747-3615. County clerk: 870-747-3632. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Provides the statewide probate forms and probate cover sheet used for Arkansas decedent-estate filings. | arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Provides public legal information, including a small-estate packet that explains the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Lets you search Arkansas circuit case information without a login. Document availability varies by court. | caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Offers income-restricted civil legal help screening statewide. Estate administration may be outside its priorities. | 1-800-952-9243, arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
A Monroe County probate attorney is especially useful when the family is unsure which assets require court authority, the estate includes real property to sell, heirs disagree, creditor issues are likely, or the personal representative lives outside Arkansas. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may affect the Monroe County estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps organize the information needed for Arkansas probate forms, the statewide cover sheet, and the Monroe County filing packet before you call the Clarendon courthouse.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a home sale, creditor problems, an out-of-state personal representative, or disagreement among heirs, Sunset can connect the family with Arkansas probate counsel.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement steps, gather documents, and move forward with less administrative burden.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for Monroe County, Arkansas?
File at the Monroe County Courthouse, 123 Madison Street, Clarendon, AR 72029, in the probate division of the Monroe County Circuit Court. Because public county pages do not identify which clerk office serves as the probate clerk, call the circuit clerk at 870-747-3615 or the county clerk at 870-747-3632 before you file.
Is Monroe County in a shared Arkansas circuit?
Yes. Monroe County is in Arkansas's First Judicial Circuit with Cross, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis, and Woodruff counties. That does not change where you file. A Monroe County estate is filed in Clarendon.
How much does it cost to open probate in Monroe County?
As of August 2026, opening a decedent's estate costs $165.00, which is the $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. As of August 2026, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 to file, plus $5.00 per certified copy (A.C.A. § 28-41-101).
Can I e-file a Monroe County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are filing without an attorney, ask the Monroe County clerk whether that court will register you for e-filing and what in-person or mail filing steps the clerk will accept.
Can I look up a Monroe County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide circuit case information without a login, but online access to actual documents varies by court.
Will I have to attend a hearing in Clarendon?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise the court may set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the Monroe County clerk what the assigned circuit judge requires and whether phone or video participation may be considered.
What forms should I use in Monroe County probate?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Monroe County does not maintain a separate probate form page.
What is the deadline to start probate in Arkansas?
Arkansas generally requires application to admit a will to probate or grant administration within five years from the decedent's death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103). Creditor claims are a separate deadline: after letters issue and notice is published, claims must be presented within six months from first publication or they are forever barred (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
Do I have to travel to Monroe County if I live out of state?
You may need to mail documents, hire counsel, or appear if the court sets a hearing. Before making travel plans, call the Clarendon courthouse to ask which clerk counter accepts the filing and whether the assigned judge will consider phone or video participation.
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.