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Sevier County, AR Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Sevier County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Sevier County Circuit Court, probate division |
| Probate filings go to | Sevier County Clerk, 115 North 3rd Street, Room 102, De Queen, AR 71832 |
| Phone | 870-642-2852, option 0 |
| Fax | 870-642-3896 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, excluding holidays |
| Mailing guidance | Call the Sevier County Clerk before mailing original wills or probate filings. |
| Judicial circuit | Ninth Judicial Circuit West |
| Filing fee | $165.00 to open a decedent's estate, current 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 has a separate $25.00 filing fee, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. |
| Local forms | Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Ask the Sevier County Clerk whether any local instruction must be added. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Sevier County Clerk whether that court will register them for probate filing, and should use in-person or mail filing if directed. |
| Case search | Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad provides statewide circuit court case information. Document access differs by court. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Sevier County Clerk and check the Ninth Judicial Circuit West administrative plan for any phone or video hearing procedure. |
| Website | https://www.seviercountyar.org/government/departments/county-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Sevier County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, accounts, real estate, vehicles and recurring bills. That list drives the estate settlement path, the forms you prepare, and whether the court needs to appoint a personal representative.
Sunset can help you find accounts and assets across more than 2,300 financial institutions before you choose a probate path. Starting with a fuller asset picture can keep a Sevier County estate settlement from being filed on the wrong track.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File a Sevier County probate matter with the Sevier County Clerk at the courthouse in De Queen. The case is heard in the probate division of the Sevier County Circuit Court, which sits in Arkansas's Ninth Judicial Circuit West.
Arkansas venue for probate of a will or administration is generally the county where the decedent resided at death; if the decedent was not an Arkansas resident, the statute then looks to the Arkansas county with the greater part in value of the decedent's Arkansas property, the county where the person died if there was no Arkansas residence or property, or a county where a cause of action may be maintained by the personal representative (A.C.A. § 28-40-102). The first legally commenced proceeding controls statewide property, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred rather than started over (A.C.A. § 28-40-102).
The jurisdiction process
- Find the original will, if any, order death certificates, and list the assets and debts before choosing forms.
- Check timing. Arkansas generally requires application to admit a will or grant administration within five years of death (A.C.A. § 28-40-103).
- Choose the filing path. If the estate fits the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee, 45 days have passed, and the estate is $100,000 or under after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, use that affidavit process under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101. Otherwise prepare a petition for appointment of a personal representative.
- Prepare the Arkansas Judiciary probate form that fits the case, such as a petition for probate of will and appointment of personal representative or a petition for appointment of an administrator, and add the statewide probate cover sheet.
- File with the Sevier County Clerk at 115 North 3rd Street, Room 102, De Queen. Pay the $165.00 opening fee, current as of August 2026, under A.C.A. § 21-6-403 and A.C.A. § 21-6-416, or ask the court about proceeding in forma pauperis under Rule 72.
- Provide notice as required. A hearing is required if the petition is opposed or a demand for notice is on file, and the court may set a hearing in other cases (A.C.A. § 28-40-110).
- After appointment, the court appoints the personal representative and the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration under the court seal (A.C.A. § 28-48-102).
- Publish the notice of appointment, serve required copies, including known heirs, devisees, known creditors and DHS when required, and track the six months from first publication creditor period under A.C.A. § 28-40-111.
- Inventory estate assets, collect accounts, address claims, pay approved debts and taxes, sell property only as authorized, and keep records for the accounting.
- When administration is complete, file the required accounting or closing papers, distribute remaining property as authorized, and request discharge of the personal representative.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sevier County
Sevier County probate filings use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms and the statewide probate cover sheet. The statewide form set includes 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.
The Sevier County Clerk is the probate filing counter for decedent estate matters in De Queen. Before filing, ask the clerk whether a local instruction sheet or extra copy is needed in addition to the statewide probate cover sheet.
Local nuance
Sevier County-specific considerations
The probate filing counter in Sevier County is the Sevier County Clerk, not the circuit clerk counter. Use the County Clerk's Room 102 location, 870-642-2852, option 0, and the County Clerk fax number for probate filing questions.
Use the county's spelling of the courthouse city: De Queen. The Sevier County website writes the city as two words.
The Sevier County Circuit Clerk publishes a March 4, 2019 electronic-filing start date for that office's listed case categories. Because decedent estate filings are handled by the County Clerk, ask the Sevier County Clerk how eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov applies to a probate filing before relying on electronic filing.
Recent updates
| Change | What it means in Sevier County |
|---|---|
| Legal Aid of Arkansas statewide coverage began January 1, 2026 | Use Legal Aid of Arkansas for eligibility screening rather than older legal-help links that may appear on county pages. |
| eFlex filing policy update effective December 9, 2025 | Electronic filers should follow the Arkansas Judiciary eFlex rejection policy at efile.arcourts.gov and ask the Sevier County Clerk about probate filing procedures. |
| 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 public case-search portal | Use caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad for statewide circuit court case information. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Sevier County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | First confirm how the deed is titled and whether anything must pass through the probate division. If probate is needed, file with the Sevier County Clerk in De Queen. Homestead and statutory allowances affect the affidavit calculation under A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and real estate details so the spouse can choose the correct estate settlement path before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If 45 days have passed and the estate qualifies under the $100,000 cap, current as of August 2026, the child may use the affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee filed with the Sevier County Clerk, then use certified copies with banks or holders of property (A.C.A. § 28-41-101). If letters are needed, ask about filing and any hearing procedure before traveling. | Sunset can organize the asset list, generate a probate packet, and help the family ask the right Sevier County filing questions. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The affidavit process can include real property under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, but real property adds publication duties and a creditor period. A sale often requires court authority and letters from the probate division, so local counsel is usually helpful. | Sunset helps assemble the estate information and connects the parent with a local probate attorney when a sale or court authority is needed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Sevier County Clerk | Local filing counter for decedent estate filings, small estate affidavit filings under A.C.A. § 28-41-101, certified copies, and questions about how to submit papers in De Queen. | 870-642-2852, option 0; https://www.seviercountyar.org/government/departments/county-clerk |
| Arkansas Judiciary official probate forms | Statewide probate forms and the probate cover sheet used for Arkansas probate division filings. | https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms/probate-division/forms |
| Arkansas Law Help | Public legal information, including a small-estate packet that explains the court-filed affidavit process under A.C.A. § 28-41-101. | https://arlawhelp.org |
| Search ARCourts | Free statewide circuit court case information search. Some public documents may be linked, depending on the court record. | https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad |
| Legal Aid of Arkansas | Statewide income-based civil legal help screening. Ask whether your issue fits current priorities; estate administration may not be accepted. | 1-800-952-9243; https://arlegalaid.org |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the estate includes real property to sell, family disagreement, creditor problems, missing heirs, unclear title, tax questions, or a request to appoint a personal representative. Counsel can also help an out-of-state family coordinate filing with the Sevier County Clerk and any hearing set by the circuit judge. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families identify accounts, balances and leads before they file in Sevier County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family intake into organized estate settlement documents, checklists and next steps that match the Arkansas probate path the family is using.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Sevier County estate needs legal help, Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney who can advise on filings, notices, real estate and court authority.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement process, organize information and decide what help they need without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sevier County, Arkansas?
File decedent estate papers with the Sevier County Clerk at 115 North 3rd Street, Room 102, De Queen, AR 71832. The case is in the probate division of the Sevier County Circuit Court.
Which clerk handles Sevier County probate filings?
The Sevier County Clerk handles probate filings for decedent estates. For probate questions, use 870-642-2852, option 0, rather than the circuit clerk number.
What is the filing fee to open a Sevier County estate?
The opening fee is $165.00, current as of August 2026, consisting 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 has a separate $25.00 filing fee, current as of August 2026, plus $5.00 per certified copy, under A.C.A. § 28-41-101.
Can I use a small estate affidavit in Sevier County?
Yes, if the Arkansas requirements are met. The affidavit for collection of small estate by distributee is filed with the probate clerk after 45 days, when the estate is $100,000 or under after encumbrances and excluding the homestead and statutory allowances, and the other requirements in A.C.A. § 28-41-101 and A.C.A. § 28-39-101 are satisfied.
Does Sevier County have its own probate forms?
Use the Arkansas Judiciary's official probate forms and statewide probate cover sheet. Ask the Sevier County Clerk whether a local instruction or extra copy is needed for your filing.
Can I e-file probate papers in Sevier County?
Attorneys use eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov. A self-represented filer should ask the Sevier County Clerk whether that court will register them for probate filing and what paper or mail filing options the clerk will accept.
Can I attend a Sevier County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Sevier County Clerk before the hearing and check the Ninth Judicial Circuit West administrative plan. Arkansas probate hearings are set by the circuit judge, and any phone or video procedure must be handled through the court.
How do I look up a Sevier County probate case online?
Use Search ARCourts at caseinfo.arcourts.gov/opad. It provides statewide circuit court case information, while online document access depends on the court record.
Do I have to travel to De Queen to start probate?
Call the Sevier County Clerk before traveling. Some filings may be handled by mail or through eFlex at efile.arcourts.gov for eligible filers, but original wills, signatures, fees and any hearing instructions should be confirmed with the clerk.
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.