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Phillips County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Phillips County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Phillips County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Courthouse address | 620 Cherry Street, Helena-West Helena, AR 72342 |
| Probate filings go to | Call before filing. Phillips County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, and the local materials available to the public do not state which counter serves as probate clerk for decedent estates. Circuit clerk: (870) 338-5515. County clerk: (870) 338-5505. |
| Mailing address | Call a clerk before mailing probate papers. The listed clerk contacts are at 620 Cherry Street, Helena-West Helena, AR 72342. |
| Phone | Circuit clerk: (870) 338-5515. County clerk: (870) 338-5505. |
| Fax | Circuit clerk: (870) 338-5513. County clerk: (870) 338-5509. |
| Hours | Call before going. Current public counter hours and filing cutoffs are not posted for these clerk offices. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, current August 2026: $150.00 uniform filing fee last reprinted by 2013 Act 282, effective March 6, 2013 (A.C.A. § 21-6-403), plus the $15.00 court technology fee created by 2009 Act 328, approved March 9, 2009 and unchanged in 2025 (A.C.A. § 21-6-416). The $25.00 affidavit fee for a qualifying small-estate filing is separate and current August 2026, with $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and probate cover sheet. Call both clerk numbers to ask whether Phillips County wants any local copy set or counter instruction before filing. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the clerk whether this court will register them in eFlex, or how to file in person or by mail. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides free statewide circuit case information. Document access varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk or the judge's staff. Phone or video participation is set by the circuit judge and the First Judicial Circuit administrative plan. |
| Website | Arkansas Judiciary circuit clerk directory: arcourts.gov/directories/circuit-clerks. Arkansas counties Phillips directory: arcounties.org/counties/phillips. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Phillips County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, accounts, beneficiaries, and any original will. That asset map determines whether the estate settlement needs a full administration, a qualifying affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, or another nonprobate step.
Because Phillips County does not publish a dedicated probate filing page for the clerk counter, call both the circuit clerk and county clerk before you go to the Cherry Street courthouse. Sunset can help with the front end of estate settlement by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets before the family prepares a court packet.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Phillips County is filed at the Phillips County Courthouse in Helena-West Helena, in the probate division of the Phillips County Circuit Court, which sits in Arkansas's First Judicial Circuit. The First Judicial Circuit also includes Cross, Lee, Monroe, St. Francis, and Woodruff Counties, but a Phillips County estate is filed at the Phillips County courthouse when Phillips County is the proper place to file.
Arkansas venue for probate of a will or administration is in the county where the decedent resided at death, or, for a nonresident, where the greater part in value of the Arkansas property is located; if there is no Arkansas residence or property, the statute gives additional rules based on place of death or where a cause of action may be maintained (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). A proceeding is treated as commenced when the petition is filed, letters are issued, and the personal representative qualifies; if competing proceedings are started, the first legally commenced proceeding controls while venue is determined, and a misfiled case can be transferred rather than dismissed (A.C.A. § 28-40-102).
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, a list of heirs and devisees, account information, real estate information, debts, and any urgent deadlines.
- Check the Arkansas outer limit before preparing the filing. No will may be admitted and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years after death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the Arkansas route. If 45 days have passed, no personal representative case is pending or granted, and the estate qualifies at $100,000 or less after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, one or more distributees may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. Otherwise, prepare a full administration petition.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms that fit the case, such as the petition for appointment, petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative, acceptance, bond if required, notice forms, and proposed letters. Add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- Before you go to 620 Cherry Street, call both clerk counters to ask which Phillips County office accepts decedent-estate filings. The circuit clerk is at (870) 338-5515, and the county clerk is at (870) 338-5505.
- File the packet at the correct Phillips County clerk counter and pay the $165.00 opening cost, current 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, or ask the court about a Rule 72 in forma pauperis request if the filer cannot afford the cost.
- If the petition is opposed, or if a demand for notice is on file, the court must set a hearing; in other cases the court may set one (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the First Judicial Circuit judge wants any appearance handled.
- After appointment, the court appoints the personal representative and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the seal of the court (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Promptly after letters are granted, publish notice of appointment. Claims must be presented within six months from the first publication or they are forever barred, and copies must also be served within one month on known heirs, devisees, and known or reasonably ascertainable unpaid creditors, including DHS when required (A.C.A. § 28-40-111).
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, preparing any required inventory, evaluating claims, paying valid debts and taxes, distributing property under the will or Arkansas law, and filing the required accounting, final distribution request, and discharge papers.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Phillips County
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms for decedent-estate filings in Phillips County. The statewide set includes petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance of appointment, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notice forms, inventory, accounting, claims forms, and Form 23, Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate by Distributee (A.C.A. §§ 28-41-101, 28-48-102).
Add the statewide probate cover sheet to a new or closing filing. Phillips County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk contacts at the Cherry Street courthouse, and the publicly listed local materials do not name a Phillips-only probate packet, so call both clerk numbers before filing to ask which counter accepts the packet and whether the clerk wants extra copies.
Local nuance
Phillips County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Two clerk offices | Phillips County lists separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices. Because the public contact materials do not state which one takes decedent-estate filings, call both numbers before you travel. |
| Shared courthouse address | Both clerk contacts are tied to 620 Cherry Street in Helena-West Helena. Do not rely on a suite number for probate filings without calling first. |
| City name | Reader-facing estate settlement materials should use Helena-West Helena for the courthouse city, while some contact listings shorten the city name to Helena. |
Recent updates
| Change | What it means for Phillips County families |
|---|---|
| Legal aid coverage changed on January 1, 2026 | Legal Aid of Arkansas became the single statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid provider. Use its statewide intake, 1-800-952-9243, to ask about eligibility and related civil issues; do not assume it will take an estate administration matter. |
| Arkansas e-filing rejection policy took effect December 9, 2025 | Attorneys and approved eFlex users at efile.arcourts.gov must follow the Arkansas Judiciary's current electronic filing rejection policy. |
| eFlex subscription billing ends June 5, 2026 | The Arkansas Judiciary announced that subscription-based payments in eFlex will end, while other payment methods remain available. |
| Search ARCourts is the statewide public case search | Use caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for free statewide case information. Online document access depends on the court and the public-access rules. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Phillips County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying how the deed and accounts are titled. If assets pass outside probate, the court filing may be narrower. If a court filing is still needed, call the Phillips clerk contacts before filing at 620 Cherry Street and consider whether the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 fits after accounting for encumbrances, the homestead, and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps build the asset list, organize deed and account questions, and prepare the estate settlement packet for attorney review or filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies, the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the probate clerk, then certified copies are used with banks or other holders (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If letters are needed, ask the clerk about the correct Phillips counter and how the judge handles any appearance. | Sunset helps identify accounts, generate a probate packet, and connect the family with Arkansas counsel if travel or local procedure is difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 can include real property, but real property adds publication and creditor timing. A sale often requires letters testamentary or letters of administration after court appointment (A.C.A. § 28-48-102), so a full administration may be the practical path. | Sunset helps collect documents, map debts and assets, and find a local probate attorney for sale authority, creditor notices, and closing the estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Phillips County clerk contacts | Use both numbers before filing to confirm which counter accepts probate papers at 620 Cherry Street and to ask current hours, mailing instructions, and copy requirements. | Circuit clerk: (870) 338-5515. County clerk: (870) 338-5505. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Statewide probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet for petitions, notices, letters, inventories, accountings, and the affidavit under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including a small-estate packet that explains the affidavit process under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide case information for circuit cases. Some public documents may be linked, but document availability varies by court. | caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-restricted civil legal aid intake. It may be useful for eligibility screening or related civil issues, but families should not assume estate administration representation is available. | 1-800-952-9243, arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider involving a Phillips County probate attorney if the filing counter is unclear, a will may be contested, real estate must be sold, creditors are active, heirs disagree, a nonresident needs to serve, or the estate needs letters quickly. Arkansas probate filings use statewide forms, but the personal representative is responsible for deadlines, notices, claims, accountings, and final distribution. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organizes known property, and helps the family understand what may need a Phillips County estate settlement filing.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized packet using the Arkansas probate forms, the statewide cover sheet, and the filing path that fits the estate.
Find a local probate attorney. When a case needs Arkansas legal advice, a contested hearing, sale authority, creditor strategy, or help with letters, Sunset can connect the family with a local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement process, track tasks, and decide what to file next without paying Sunset for the basic service.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for Phillips County, Arkansas?
File in Helena-West Helena at the Phillips County Courthouse, 620 Cherry Street, in the probate division of the Phillips County Circuit Court. Because Phillips County has separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices and the public materials do not name the probate filing counter, call both before going: circuit clerk (870) 338-5515 and county clerk (870) 338-5505.
Which clerk takes Phillips County probate filings?
Call before filing. The circuit clerk and county clerk are separate offices in Phillips County, and the available public contact listings do not state which one accepts decedent-estate probate filings. Calling both avoids filing at the wrong counter.
How much does it cost to open a Phillips County probate case?
The opening cost is $165.00, current August 2026: $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416. A qualifying affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee has a separate $25.00 filing fee, current August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Can I use e-filing for a Phillips County probate case?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. If you are representing yourself, ask the Phillips clerk whether this court will register you in eFlex and, if not, how the clerk wants an in-person or mailed filing handled.
Can I look up a Phillips County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides free statewide case information for circuit cases. Whether you can view actual documents online depends on the court and public-access limits.
Does Phillips County have local probate forms?
Start with the Arkansas Judiciary's statewide Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Phillips County does not post a dedicated probate instruction page naming a local form packet, so call the clerk counters before filing to ask about local copy practice.
Will there be a hearing in a Phillips County probate case?
Arkansas law makes a hearing mandatory if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed, and otherwise leaves the hearing decision to the court (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the First Judicial Circuit judge will handle your filing.
Do I have to travel to Helena-West Helena for probate?
You may be able to handle some filing steps by mail or through counsel, and attorneys use eFlex. If a hearing is set, ask the clerk or judge's staff whether phone or video participation will be allowed in your case. Do not assume that permission has been granted.
Is there a deadline to start probate in Arkansas?
Yes. No will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years after the decedent's death, subject to the statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103). Creditor claims have a separate six months from first publication rule after letters are granted (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.