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Perry County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Perry County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Perry County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Perry County Circuit/County Clerk, styled locally as County Clerk/Circuit Clerk |
| Courthouse address | 310 W. Main St., Perryville, AR 72126 |
| Mailing address | Perry County Circuit/County Clerk, P.O. Box 358, Perryville, AR 72126 |
| Phone | (501) 889-5126 |
| Fax | (501) 889-5759 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Counter hours are not posted on the Perry County clerk pages. Call before going to the courthouse. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 as of August 2026 to open a decedent's estate, made up of 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. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee costs $25.00 as of August 2026 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, plus $5.00 as of August 2026 per certified copy. |
| Local forms | Perry County does not post a county-specific probate packet on its clerk pages. Use the Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk whether that court will register them, and otherwise file in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Document access differs by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk and check the Sixth Judicial Circuit administrative plan before assuming any phone or video appearance is allowed. |
| Website | https://perrycoarkansas.org/departments/county-and-circuit-clerk/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Perry County, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, debts, real estate, vehicles, beneficiary designations, and any co-owned property. The right estate settlement path depends on what actually needs court authority, not just whether there is a will.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can find accounts before they file. That helps you decide whether a Perry County filing should seek letters for a personal representative or use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee if A.C.A. § 28-41-101 applies.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Perry County is filed at the Perry County Courthouse in Perryville, in the probate division of the Perry County Circuit Court. Perry County is in Arkansas's Sixth Judicial Circuit with Pulaski County, but a Perry County estate is filed at the Perry County courthouse, not across the county line.
Arkansas venue for probate and administration is governed 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 statute looks to where the greater part in value of Arkansas property is located, then to the county of death in Arkansas, and then to any county where the personal representative may maintain a cause of action. The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than dismissed.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, asset information, debt information, and contact information for heirs and devisees. Use this first pass to decide what court authority is needed for estate settlement.
- Check the five-year filing limit. In Arkansas, no will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless application is made within five years from death, subject to the statutory exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103.
- Choose the filing path. If 45 days have elapsed, no personal representative case is pending or granted, and the estate fits the affidavit rules, a distributee may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. As of August 2026, that route applies when the value, less encumbrances, does not exceed $100,000, excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, and the affidavit is filed with the probate clerk under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise, prepare a petition for appointment of a personal representative.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary official probate form that matches the filing, such as the petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or the petition for appointment of administrator. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk at the Perry County Courthouse, 310 W. Main St., Perryville. The opening fee is $165.00 as of August 2026, including 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. A filer who cannot afford the fee may ask the court about proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 72.
- Ask the clerk how the assigned circuit judge handles scheduling. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases 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 seal of the court after the required acceptance or bond step is complete, as provided by A.C.A. § 28-48-102.
- After letters are granted, publish the notice of appointment. Claims must be presented within six months from the first publication or they are forever barred, and copies must be served on heirs, devisees, and known or reasonably ascertainable creditors within one month after first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, addressing claims, paying expenses and taxes, keeping records, and preparing any inventory or accounting the court requires.
- When administration is complete, request final distribution and discharge from the probate division so the estate settlement can close through the court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Perry County
Arkansas publishes official statewide probate forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Perry County does not post a separate county probate packet on its clerk pages.
Use the statewide probate cover sheet with a new Perry County probate filing. Perry County also tells filers that the clerk is not permitted to give legal advice or provide documents, so bring completed forms or speak with an attorney before filing.
| Form resource | Where to find it | How it is used in Perry County |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms | Use these statewide forms for decedent estate filings in the Perry County Circuit Court, probate division. |
| Statewide probate cover sheet | Arkansas Judiciary probate cover sheet revised November 2023 | Submit it with the probate filing packet. |
| Perry County Circuit/County Clerk page | https://perrycoarkansas.org/departments/county-and-circuit-clerk/ | Use it for local contact information before filing in Perryville. |
Local nuance
Perry County-specific considerations
Perry County is one of the Arkansas counties where one local office serves as both circuit clerk and county clerk. For a family filing in Perryville, that means probate filings go to the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk, not to two separate counters.
Perry County's clerk pages do not post public counter hours. Call (501) 889-5126 before traveling to the courthouse, especially if you need certified copies, filing guidance about logistics, or payment instructions.
Recent updates
| Date | Update | What it means for Perry County families |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the sole statewide Legal Services Corporation funded civil legal aid provider for all 75 Arkansas counties. | Perry County residents should use Legal Aid of Arkansas statewide intake rather than older regional legal aid listings. |
| December 9, 2025 | The Arkansas Judiciary eFlex Electronic Filing Rejection Policy took effect. | Attorney filings through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov must follow the current statewide e-filing rejection rules. |
| June 5, 2026 | Subscription-based payments in eFlex end. | Other eFlex payment methods remain available through the Arkansas Judiciary e-filing system. |
| Current statewide case access | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the public statewide case-information portal. | Perry County probate case information can be searched there, while online document access depends on the court record. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Perry County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking the deed and beneficiary designations before filing. If the home passes outside probate, the Perry County filing may be limited to assets that still need court authority. If a small-estate affidavit is considered, the homestead and statutory allowances are treated under A.C.A. § 28-39-101 and the affidavit rules are in A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues, and debts so the spouse can decide whether estate settlement needs a Perry County court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies as of August 2026 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk, and certified copies can be used with banks and other holders. If letters are needed, ask the clerk about filing logistics and any phone or video appearance request. | Sunset can organize asset information, generate a probate packet, and help locate a local attorney if the child cannot travel to Perryville. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A.C.A. § 28-41-101 can reach real property if its requirements are met, but real property in that route requires publication after filing. If a sale needs a personal representative with letters, file the full administration petition in Perry County. | Sunset helps determine whether a court appointment is needed, prepares the filing packet, and connects the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney when a sale is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Perry County Circuit/County Clerk | Local filing counter for Perry County probate filings, certified copies, and filing logistics. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | (501) 889-5126; https://perrycoarkansas.org/departments/county-and-circuit-clerk/ |
| Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms | Statewide probate forms and cover sheet used for filings in the probate division. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including a small-estate packet tied to A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case-information search for circuit court cases at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-restricted civil legal aid intake. It may not take estate matters, but eligible families can ask about available help. | 1-800-952-9243; https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider speaking with an Arkansas probate attorney if the estate includes real property to sell, creditor disputes, tax questions, disagreement among heirs, a missing original will, a late filing concern, or uncertainty about whether the small-estate affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 is enough. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property so families can understand what is actually in the estate before filing in Perry County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into an organized estate settlement packet using the Arkansas probate path that fits the situation, including Perry County court details.
Find a local probate attorney. When a court appearance, real estate sale, creditor issue, or contested question needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Arkansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, locate assets, and understand next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Perry County, Arkansas?
File in Perryville with the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk at the Perry County Courthouse, 310 W. Main St., Perryville, AR 72126. The case is in the probate division of the Perry County Circuit Court.
Which clerk takes Perry County probate filings?
Perry County has one Circuit/County Clerk office for these filings. Call (501) 889-5126 before going to confirm current counter hours and filing logistics.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Perry County?
The opening fee is $165.00 as of August 2026, 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 costs $25.00 as of August 2026, plus $5.00 as of August 2026 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Can I use e-filing for a Perry County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk whether that court will register them, and should be ready to file in person or by mail if needed.
Can I look up a Perry County probate case online?
Yes. Search ARCourts at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Some court records have documents online and some do not, so use the portal for case information and call the clerk if you need a certified copy.
Does Perry County have its own probate forms?
Perry County does not post a county-specific probate packet on its clerk pages. Use the Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet for filings in the probate division.
Will Perry County set a hearing?
A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and the court may set a hearing in other cases under A.C.A. § 28-40-110. Ask the clerk how the assigned circuit judge handles scheduling.
Do I have to travel to Perryville for probate?
Not always for every task, but do not assume remote handling. Ask the Perry County Circuit/County Clerk about filing by mail, certified copies, and any request to attend a hearing by phone or video before you make travel plans.
What is the deadline to start probate in Arkansas?
Arkansas generally requires the application to admit a will to probate or grant administration to be made within five years from death, subject to the exceptions in A.C.A. § 28-40-103. After letters are granted, creditor claims are tied to the six months from first publication rule in 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.