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Pike County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Pike County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Pike County Circuit Court, probate division, in Murfreesboro, Arkansas |
| Courthouse address | 1 Courthouse Square, Murfreesboro, AR 71958 |
| Probate filings go to | Call ahead before filing. Pike County lists separate clerk offices. Pike County Circuit Clerk: (870) 285-2231. Pike County Clerk: (870) 285-2743. Ask which counter is serving as the probate clerk for the estate. |
| Mailing address | Circuit Clerk: P.O. Box 219, Murfreesboro, AR 71958. County Clerk: P.O. Box 218, Murfreesboro, AR 71958. |
| Phone | Circuit Clerk: (870) 285-2231. County Clerk: (870) 285-2743. |
| Fax | Circuit Clerk: (870) 285-3281. County Clerk: (870) 285-3900. |
| Hours | Pike County has not posted counter hours for these clerk offices. Call before traveling to the courthouse. |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate: $150.00 uniform filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted by 2013 Act 282 effective March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009 and unchanged by 2025 acts. A small-estate affidavit costs $25.00 under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, current August 2026. |
| Local forms | Pike County has not posted a county probate packet on its county website. Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet, and call the clerk before filing to ask whether Pike County wants any local cover instruction. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at https://efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the clerk whether this court will register them. In-person or mail filing is the fallback. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Document availability varies by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk and review the Ninth Judicial Circuit West administrative plan before any hearing. Phone or video participation depends on the circuit judge and the setting. |
| Website | https://pikecountyar.org/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Pike County filing route, list the assets, debts, title documents, beneficiary designations, account holders, and any original will. Arkansas procedure changes depending on whether letters are needed, whether real property is involved, whether the affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 fits, and whether the five-year filing limit in A.C.A. § 28-40-103 is approaching.
Sunset can start estate settlement by helping you find accounts and policies through its 2,300-institution asset discovery process. That gives you a cleaner asset picture before you call the Pike County clerks, prepare the probate cover sheet, or ask an attorney whether full administration is needed.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Pike County probate filings are made for Pike County, Arkansas, at the courthouse in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, in the probate division of the Pike County Circuit Court. Pike County is part of Arkansas's Ninth Judicial Circuit West, but the filing belongs at the Pike County courthouse rather than at another county in the circuit.
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, with additional rules if the person died in Arkansas or if only a cause of action exists here (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). If proceedings are started in more than one county, the first legally commenced case controls while venue is decided, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than dismissed (A.C.A. § 28-40-102).
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the original will if one exists, asset information, debt information, and names and addresses for heirs, devisees, and known creditors.
- Check the filing deadline. In Arkansas, no will may be admitted to probate and no administration may be granted unless the application is made within five years from death, subject to statutory exceptions (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Decide whether the affidavit route fits before preparing a full administration petition. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the probate clerk of the circuit court when 45 days have elapsed since death, no personal representative case is pending or granted, and the value is $100,000 or under after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances described in A.C.A. § 28-39-101 (A.C.A. § 28-41-101).
- If full administration is needed, prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate forms, including 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.
- Before sending the packet, call both Pike County clerk offices to ask which counter is serving as the probate clerk for decedent estates. Then file at the Pike County Courthouse in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, by the method the clerk gives you, and pay $165.00 to open the estate, made up of the $150.00 filing fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted by 2013 Act 282 effective March 6, 2013, and the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a Rule 72 in forma pauperis request.
- The circuit judge will decide whether a hearing is needed. 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 before any hearing whether phone or video participation has been authorized for that setting.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court's seal after the required bond or written acceptance step is complete (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- After letters are granted, publish notice of appointment and serve copies on heirs, devisees, and known or reasonably ascertainable unpaid creditors within one month after first publication, including the Arkansas Department of Human Services when required. Claims are barred six months from first publication under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, safeguarding property, addressing claims, paying approved debts and taxes, filing any required inventory or accounting, distributing property under the will or Arkansas law, and seeking final discharge when the estate is ready to close.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pike County
The Arkansas Judiciary publishes the Official Probate Forms for decedent estates, including petitions, proof of will, bond, acceptance, designation of process agent, letters testamentary, letters of administration, notices, inventory, accounting, and the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee. Pike County filers should also use the statewide probate cover sheet.
Pike County has not posted a county probate packet on its county website. Because Pike County lists separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, call before filing to ask which counter is serving as the probate clerk and whether the packet needs any Pike County cover instruction in addition to the statewide forms.
Local nuance
Pike County-specific considerations
Pike County is not one of Arkansas's combined clerk counties. The county lists a Pike County Circuit Clerk and a Pike County Clerk as separate offices, with different mailing addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers.
The practical filing point is the important local step. Before you mail, e-file through counsel, or travel to Murfreesboro, Arkansas, call the Pike County Circuit Clerk at (870) 285-2231 and the Pike County Clerk at (870) 285-2743 to ask which counter is serving as the probate clerk for decedent estates.
Recent updates
| Update | What it means for Pike County families |
|---|---|
| Legal Aid of Arkansas statewide coverage began January 1, 2026 | Use Legal Aid of Arkansas as the statewide civil legal-aid intake point. Eligibility and case priorities still matter, and estate settlement questions may require private counsel. |
| eFlex rejection policy took effect December 9, 2025 | Electronic filers should review eFlex requirements at https://efile.arcourts.gov before submitting probate papers. |
| eFlex subscription billing ends June 5, 2026 | Payment options for eFlex filings changed, but the Pike County clerk should still be contacted about self-represented filing access. |
| Search ARCourts is the current public case lookup | Pike County circuit case information is searched through https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad, with document access depending on the court. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Pike County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with the deed and account titles. Some property may pass outside probate, while other assets may require a Pike County filing. If an affidavit is being considered, remember that Arkansas excludes the homestead and statutory allowances under A.C.A. § 28-39-101 from the calculation described in A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance, debts, and title questions so the spouse can see what actually needs court involvement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the Arkansas affidavit requirements are met, the affidavit is filed with the probate clerk of the circuit court and certified copies are then used with banks or holders of property (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If letters are needed, ask the Pike County clerks which counter takes the petition and ask about any phone or video option before a hearing. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, generate a probate packet, and connect the child with local counsel if travel or service issues make the case harder. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit route can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property triggers publication and a creditor window. A sale often calls for full administration and letters, especially when a buyer, title company, or lender wants court-issued authority. | Sunset helps gather property, mortgage, tax, and account information, then helps the parent decide whether to prepare filings or speak with an attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Pike County Circuit Clerk | Call (870) 285-2231 to ask whether this counter is taking decedent estate filings and to confirm current hours, mailing instructions, and filing method. |
| Pike County Clerk | Call (870) 285-2743 to ask whether this counter is taking decedent estate filings and to confirm current hours, mailing instructions, and filing method. |
| Arkansas Judiciary Official Probate Forms | Provides the statewide probate forms and probate cover sheet used for Arkansas circuit court probate filings. |
| Arkansas Law Help | Provides public legal information and a small-estate packet tied to A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Search ARCourts | Use https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad to search public circuit court case information. Some documents may not be available online. |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Call 1-800-952-9243 or apply through Legal Aid of Arkansas to check eligibility for civil legal help. Estate administration may be outside its case priorities. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the will is disputed, heirs disagree, real property must be sold, creditors are active, a nonresident personal representative is involved, the filing deadline is close, or the Pike County filing counter question is slowing down the case. Counsel can also help coordinate title, publication, claims, and final distribution while keeping the estate settlement on track. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement benefits, debts, and other assets before they choose a Pike County probate path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized estate settlement packet using Arkansas probate forms and the Pike County filing details you confirm with the clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs counsel, Sunset can connect you with an attorney who handles Arkansas probate and can work with the Pike County Circuit Court, probate division.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families understand the estate settlement process, organize next steps, and decide when professional help is needed without charging families to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pike County, Arkansas?
Probate for Pike County is filed at the Pike County Courthouse in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, in the probate division of the Pike County Circuit Court. Because Pike County lists separate circuit clerk and county clerk offices, call the Circuit Clerk at (870) 285-2231 and the County Clerk at (870) 285-2743 before filing to ask which counter is serving as the probate clerk.
Do I file with the Pike County Circuit Clerk or the Pike County Clerk?
Ask before you file. Pike County is not a combined clerk county, and the county materials available to families list both offices but do not identify which one is taking probate filings. Calling both offices before mailing or bringing papers is the safest local step.
Can I e-file probate papers in Pike County?
Attorneys use eFlex at https://efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Pike County clerk whether this court will register them for electronic filing. If not, ask the clerk for the current in-person or mail filing instructions.
Will Pike County set a hearing in an uncontested estate?
Arkansas law requires a hearing if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice has been filed. Otherwise, the court may set a hearing but is not required to do so (A.C.A. § 28-40-110). Ask the clerk how the circuit judge wants Pike County probate matters presented.
Can I attend a Pike County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the clerk before the hearing whether the circuit judge has authorized phone or video participation for that setting, and check the Ninth Judicial Circuit West administrative plan. Do not assume that a remote option is available for a particular hearing.
How do I look up a Pike County estate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide circuit court case information, including Pike County cases, but document availability varies by court.
Which probate forms does Pike County use?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's Official Probate Forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. Pike County has not posted a separate county probate packet on its county website, so call the clerk before filing to ask whether any local cover instruction is required.
How much does it cost to open probate in Pike County?
The court filing cost to open a decedent's estate is $165.00: $150.00 under A.C.A. § 21-6-403, last reprinted by 2013 Act 282 effective March 6, 2013, plus the $15.00 court technology fee under A.C.A. § 21-6-416, effective March 9, 2009. The affidavit route under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 has a $25.00 filing charge, current August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy, current August 2026.
Do I have to travel to Murfreesboro, Arkansas?
Call before planning travel. The clerk can tell you the current filing method, the current counter hours, and whether any hearing has been set. If you live outside Arkansas, an attorney may be able to handle many filing and scheduling steps for you.
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.