Texarkana Probate Court Records

Texarkana Probate Court Records are filed at the Miller County Circuit Court in Texarkana, Arkansas. The courthouse is at 400 Laurel Street, with the Circuit Clerk in Suite 109 and the County Clerk in Suite 105. These offices hold files for wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, and adoptions for the whole county. You can search Texarkana Probate Court Records online through CourtConnect, walk in to the clerk, or mail a written request for copies. This page lays out how to find a case and how to get copies.

Texarkana Does Not Run Probate Court

The City of Texarkana, Arkansas does not run a probate court. The District Court of the City of Texarkana handles only criminal, traffic, and civil/small claims cases. It does not have jurisdiction over probate matters, estate administration, wills, or guardianships.

Arkansas Circuit Courts have probate jurisdiction under § 28-1-104. All Texarkana probate cases file at the Miller County Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk serves as clerk of the probate division. Under § 28-1-106 the clerk files instruments as a matter of record. The County Clerk also plays a role in the intake of probate matters in Miller County.

For detail on the county court side, see Miller County probate records.

Which County Handles Texarkana Probate Records

Texarkana sits in Miller County on the Arkansas side. Miller County was set up in 1820. The county is in the 8th Judicial Circuit, South District. Texarkana is the county seat. The courthouse is at 400 Laurel Street in Texarkana.

The Miller County Circuit Clerk can be reached at (870) 774-4501. The County Clerk is at (870) 774-1501. The Circuit Clerk site is at millercountyar.gov/circuit-clerk. The County Clerk site is at millercountyar.gov/county-clerk.

Texarkana Probate Court Records Office

The Miller County Courthouse is at 400 Laurel Street in Texarkana, AR 71854. The Circuit Clerk is in Suite 109. The County Clerk is in Suite 105. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is open during the lunch hour.

The Circuit Clerk files all instruments as a matter of record in decedent estate cases and small estate affidavits. The probate division keeps all records for adoptions and guardianship cases. Adoption records are sealed. Staff includes a Chief Deputy/Domestic Clerk, Criminal Clerk, Civil Clerk, Juvenile Clerk, and Accounting Specialists. The office handles jury duty for circuit court too.

Bring a photo ID. Bring the case number if you have it. If not, give the decedent's full name and year of death. Records date back to the county's formation in 1820, so deep searches are possible. The office also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and surety bonds.

Search Texarkana Probate Court Records Online

CourtConnect is the free state search tool for Texarkana Probate Court Records. The Administrative Office of the Courts runs it. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. Probate cases show case status, next hearing date, and a full docket.

Start at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Pick the 8th South Circuit, then Miller County. No account is needed. Public access is free. The portal is also at caseinfo.arcourts.gov for a return visit.

The Arkansas Judiciary home page at arcourts.gov has court rules and notices. Full probate document images may need a clerk visit or mail request.

Texarkana Probate Court Records Types

A Miller County probate file can hold many papers. Each case opens with a petition under § 28-40-107. The court admits the will, names a personal representative, and sets deadlines. The rep files an inventory within 60 days under § 28-48-101 and gives notice to creditors. Claims must come within six months of first publication under § 28-40-111. A will must be filed within five years of death under § 28-40-103. Proof of will needs at least two attesting witnesses under § 28-40-117.

Texarkana Probate Court Records often include wills, petitions, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventory and appraisal under § 28-48-201, creditor claims and orders under § 28-50-201, final accounts under § 28-52-101, and orders of discharge. Guardianship files add medical statements, guardian ad litem reports, and yearly reports. See § 28-65-101 for the rules on appointment and § 28-65-207 for the 20-day notice rule.

Intestate estates follow § 28-9-203. The homestead allowance is set by § 28-39-101 and the family allowance by § 28-39-201. A determination of heirship case runs under § 28-53-101. Adoption files are sealed.

Texarkana Probate Court Records Fees

The base filing fee for a new probate case in Miller County is $165. A small estate affidavit under § 28-41-101 runs about $25 to $30 for estates at or under $100,000, not counting the homestead or statutory allowances. Wait 45 days after death to file a small estate.

Copy fees at the Circuit Clerk are set by Arkansas law. Plain copies run $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 per document. Real estate recording fees are $15 for the first page and $5 for each added page. Civil and domestic relations filings are also $165. Court-ordered transfers from district courts cost $50 to file. Marriage licenses are $60.

The clerk takes cash, check, or card at the counter. Mail-in requests should include a check to the Miller County Circuit Clerk along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you need several certified copies to settle bank accounts or retitle deeds, order a few extra. The per-copy cost is low.

Request Texarkana Probate Court Records

There are three ways to get Texarkana Probate Court Records.

In person: walk in to 400 Laurel Street during office hours. Bring a photo ID. Ask for probate. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Plain copies often happen the same visit. Certified copies take a few more minutes for the seal.

By mail: send a written request with the case info, your return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for the copy fees. If you do not have the case number, include the decedent's full name and year of death so staff can search the index.

Online: start at CourtConnect. Find the case. Then call the clerk at (870) 774-4501 for copy steps. Electronic filing is open to attorneys through the eFlex system, but it is not a public copy tool.

Local Help for Texarkana Probate Records

Legal Aid of Arkansas covers Miller County for low-income residents. They help with small estate affidavits and simple guardianships. Reach them at arlegalaid.org. The Arkansas Bar Association has a lawyer referral service for a paid consult with a probate attorney.

For older files, the Arkansas State Archives in Little Rock holds microfilm of Miller County probate and marriage records. Start at arkansasheritage.com. Many files are on FamilySearch. The state code text is online at law.justia.com for all Title 28 rules.

Public Access to Texarkana Probate Court Records

Probate files in Miller County are public. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and Administrative Order No. 19 back this up. You do not have to be a party or a lawyer. Walk in or mail a request to view the file.

Some items are held back. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and the names of minor children are redacted. Medical records in a guardianship case may be limited to the parties. Adoption files are sealed by law. Juvenile records are not open to the public. The rest of the file stays open.

Miller County

Texarkana is the county seat of Miller County. For the full guide, see Miller County probate records. Texarkana sits on the state line with Texas, so cases for Texarkana, Texas file in Bowie County courts on the Texas side, not in Arkansas.