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Ouachita County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Ouachita County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Ouachita County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse | Ouachita County Courthouse, 145 Jefferson St. SW, Camden, AR 71701 |
| Probate filings go to | Ouachita County does not state online whether the probate clerk is the circuit clerk or the county clerk. Call the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk at (870) 837-2230 or the Ouachita County Clerk at (870) 837-2220 before filing. |
| Mailing address | Circuit Clerk: P.O. Box 667, Camden, AR 71711. County Clerk: P.O. Box 1041, Camden, AR 71711. |
| Phone | Circuit Clerk: (870) 837-2230. County Clerk: (870) 837-2220. |
| Fax | Circuit Clerk: (870) 837-2252. County Clerk: (870) 837-2217. |
| Hours | Circuit Clerk research counter: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call before a holiday visit. County Clerk hours are not listed separately. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, $165.00 to open a decedent's estate: $150.00 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, $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 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | No separate Ouachita County probate packet is listed. 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 clerk whether this court will register them and should be ready to file in person or by mail if needed. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov gives free statewide case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk and check the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan for phone or video hearing practice. |
| Website | Ouachita County clerk pages: https://www.explorecamden.com/o/ouachitacounty/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Ouachita County, identify the decedent's accounts, debts, real property, titled vehicles, beneficiary designations, and any original will. The clerk can route a filing to the right counter, but the filing packet depends on what assets exist and whether court authority is needed for the estate settlement.
Sunset's estate settlement process includes asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, so families can see what may need probate before they spend time preparing the Ouachita County filing.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Ouachita County is filed at the Ouachita County Courthouse in Camden, in the probate division of the Ouachita County Circuit Court. Ouachita County is in Arkansas's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, but sharing a circuit with other counties does not move an Ouachita County filing to another courthouse.
Arkansas venue for a will or estate administration is governed by A.C.A. § 28-40-102. The usual filing place is the county where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent did not reside in Arkansas, the statute looks to where the greater part in value of Arkansas property is located, where the person died if there is no Arkansas residence or property, or where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a misfiled case can be transferred.
The jurisdiction process
- Find the original will, death certificate, asset list, debt list, real property information, and names and addresses of heirs and devisees before preparing the estate settlement filing.
- Check the Arkansas five-year outer limit. No will is admitted to probate and no administration is granted unless application is made within five years from the decedent's death, subject to the statute's exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the Arkansas route. If, as of August 2026, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee fits because 45 days have passed and the estate is within the $100,000 amount after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, use A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101. Otherwise prepare a full administration petition.
- Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms. For a will and personal representative, start with the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative; for an intestate estate, use the appointment petition. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- Call the Ouachita County Circuit Clerk at (870) 837-2230 or the Ouachita County Clerk at (870) 837-2220 before filing, because the county does not state online which counter takes probate filings. File at the Ouachita County Courthouse in Camden and, as of August 2026, pay the $165.00 opening fee made up of $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, or ask the court about a Rule 72 waiver.
- Handle notice and any hearing. A hearing is mandatory if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and otherwise is set at the court's discretion (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk about the judge's scheduling and any phone or video appearance procedure.
- After appointment, the court appoints the personal representative and 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, serve required copies, and track claims. Creditor claims are barred six months from the first publication if not properly presented, and required copies go to heirs, devisees, known creditors, and the Department of Human Services when applicable (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer and close the estate. Inventory estate property, resolve claims, pay expenses and taxes, distribute property under the will or Arkansas law, file any required accounting or settlement, and request final distribution and discharge.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Ouachita County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes the Official Probate Forms for probate division filings, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, and Form 23, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Arkansas also uses a statewide probate cover sheet.
Ouachita County does not list a separate local probate packet or local cover-sheet instruction on its clerk pages. Because the county does not identify which clerk counter takes probate filings, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 837-2230 or the County Clerk at (870) 837-2220 before bringing or mailing the forms.
Local nuance
Ouachita County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Probate counter | Ouachita County does not state online whether probate filings go to the circuit clerk or the county clerk. Call both clerk numbers before filing if needed. |
| Single courthouse | Use the Ouachita County Courthouse in Camden. Ouachita County is not one of Arkansas's counties with two local filing districts. |
| Circuit clerk hours | The circuit clerk lists in-person research hours as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with holiday schedules checked by phone. |
| Self-help kiosk | The circuit clerk points visitors to a public-access kiosk for Arkansas Law Help and other public resources before they arrive. |
| Local packet | No separate Ouachita County probate packet is listed. Use the Arkansas Judiciary forms and statewide probate cover sheet. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage | Starting January 1, 2026, Legal Aid of Arkansas is the statewide civil legal-aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. |
| eFlex filing policy | The eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect December 9, 2025. The eFlex portal is at efile.arcourts.gov. |
| eFlex payment change | Subscription-based payments in eFlex end June 5, 2026; other payment methods remain available. |
| State case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the Arkansas public case-information portal. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Ouachita County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the deed and beneficiary designations. If the home passes outside probate, the remaining estate may be smaller, but any court filing still goes through the probate division in Camden. Spousal protections and statutory allowances are handled under Arkansas law, including A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, real property, and documents so the spouse can decide whether an estate settlement filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate fits the $100,000 affidavit rules as of August 2026, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the probate clerk under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, and certified copies are then used with banks or holders of property. If letters are needed, ask the Ouachita County clerk about local filing and appearance practice. | Sunset helps assemble the asset list, generate the probate packet, and connect the child with Arkansas counsel if court authority is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Arkansas affidavit route can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property adds publication requirements and a creditor window. A sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration under A.C.A. § 28-48-102, so the parent should call the Camden courthouse before filing. | Sunset helps organize title information, debts, notices, and attorney referral needs for a sale-focused estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Use the statewide probate division forms and probate cover sheet for petitions, letters, notices, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Arkansas Law Help | Provides public legal information, including Arkansas small-estate materials tied to A.C.A. § 28-41-101. The Ouachita County Circuit Clerk points visitors to arlawhelp.org through its courthouse kiosk information. |
| Search ARCourts | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov provides free statewide case information. Document access depends on the court and case. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Call 1-800-952-9243 or visit arlegalaid.org to check eligibility. It is not a promise that an estate matter will be accepted. |
| Ouachita County clerks | Call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 837-2230 or the County Clerk at (870) 837-2220 to confirm which counter takes a probate filing in Camden. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney when the will may be contested, heirs disagree, real property must be sold, creditor issues are unclear, a business is involved, or the personal representative lives outside Arkansas and needs help with local filing and hearing practice. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families build the asset picture needed for estate settlement in Ouachita County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into a ready-to-review probate packet using the Arkansas Judiciary forms and the probate cover sheet.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs court authority, a home sale, contested guidance, or help with the Camden courthouse process, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, identify next steps, and decide whether filing in Ouachita County is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Ouachita County?
File Ouachita County probate matters at the Ouachita County Courthouse, 145 Jefferson St. SW, Camden, AR 71701, in the probate division of the Ouachita County Circuit Court. The county does not state online whether the circuit clerk or county clerk takes probate filings, so call (870) 837-2230 or (870) 837-2220 before you go.
What is the filing fee to open an estate in Ouachita County?
As of August 2026, the filing fee to open a decedent's estate is $165.00: $150.00 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 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Does Ouachita County have its own probate forms?
No separate Ouachita County probate packet is listed on the clerk pages. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet, including the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 when that route fits.
Can I e-file a probate case in Ouachita County?
Attorneys file through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the clerk whether this court will register them for electronic filing and should be ready to file in person or by mail if needed.
Can I attend a Ouachita County probate hearing by phone or video?
Remote appearance practice is set by the circuit judge and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order No. 14 plan. Ask the clerk before making travel plans.
How do I look up an Ouachita County probate case?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov for free statewide case information. Some public documents may be linked for some courts, but document access varies.
Is a hearing required for every Ouachita County estate?
A hearing is mandatory if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed; otherwise, the court may decide whether to set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the judge handles scheduling in Camden.
What deadline should I know before starting probate in Ouachita County?
Arkansas has a five-year outer limit to apply for admission of a will or administration, subject to statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103). After letters issue, creditor claims are barred six months from first publication if 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.