Search Clark County Probate Records

Clark County Probate Court Records cover wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and adoption files at the courthouse in Arkadelphia. The County Clerk is clerk to the probate court and keeps every file. You can search Clark County Probate Court Records online through the state CourtConnect portal, visit in person at the corner of 4th and Court Street, or send a written request by mail. This page lays out the clerk office, what each probate file holds, fees at the window, and a guide to the best path for copies in Clark County.

Clark County Probate Court Records Office

The Clark County Clerk is clerk to the probate court under § 28-1-106. The office at 4th and Court Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923 takes each petition, keeps the court file, and issues the first notice to heirs. Phone is (870) 246-4281. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clark County is one of the oldest counties in the state. Probate books start in 1818, a full year before statehood. The vault at Arkadelphia holds the old ledger books and many early wills. Staff can pull a file for walk-in review or mail a copy. Visit clarkcountyarkansas.com/county-clerk for office info.

The Clerk page is the public hub for probate lookups, marriage licenses, and business name filings in Clark County.

The Circuit Clerk's office is in the same building and uses the same phone. That office holds civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile files. See clarkcountyarkansas.com/circuit-clerk.

The Circuit Clerk page hosts state CourtConnect links, local filing info, and court docket tools.

Search Clark County Probate Court Records Online

Clark County cases are on the free state CourtConnect search. The tool is open to all. You can search by name or case number. Each result shows the case type, next hearing, and full docket list.

Start at caseinfo.arcourts.gov. Pick the Ninth Judicial Circuit (East), then filter to Clark County. The main court homepage at arcourts.gov has probate forms, local rules, and a self-help library.

Clark County Probate Court Records Types

The clerk holds estate cases, small estates, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, and name changes. Each estate file has a petition, the will, proof of will per § 28-40-117, letters, an inventory, claims, and a final account. Wills must be filed within five years of death under § 28-40-103. The personal representative files the inventory within 60 days under § 28-48-101. Claims run six months from first publication per § 28-40-111. Final accounts close the case under § 28-52-101.

Intestate estates run under § 28-9-203. The court finds the heirs and names an administrator. Small estates run under § 28-41-101 for estates at or below $100,000, less the homestead and the allowances. Guardianship cases follow § 28-65-101, with a 20-day notice under § 28-65-207. Adoption files stay sealed by state law.

Clark County Probate Probate Court Records Fees

New probate cases cost $165. Small estate affidavits are $25. Certified copies are $5. Plain copies are $0.25 per page. Letters testamentary cost $5 per set.

The office takes cash, checks, and money orders. Checks go to the Clark County Clerk. Mail-in requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the right amount. Staff can quote the total once they pull the file. For an estate with several bank accounts, ask for three or four certified letters up front. The extra cost is small, and it saves a trip back.

Request Clark County Probate Court Records

You can get Clark County Probate Court Records three ways. Each is simple once you pick it.

In person at the Arkadelphia courthouse. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull the file, make copies, and certify on the spot. By mail. Write a short letter, include the case info, a check, and a return envelope. Online. Start at caseinfo.arcourts.gov to review the docket and figure out which pages you need to request.

Historic Clark County Probate Records

Clark County was formed in 1818 from parts of Arkansas County, before statehood in 1836. Probate records go back that far. The vault holds the old books, some of which pre-date the Civil War. A few fragile pages have been scanned by the State Archives and are on microfilm.

For research, start at the Clark County wiki on FamilySearch. The State Archives page has the hours and contact for the research room in Little Rock. For statute text, use law.justia.com.

Public Access to Clark County Probate Records

Probate files in Clark County are public. The Arkansas FOIA and Admin Order No. 19 back up the right of access. Any adult can ask for a file. The clerk redacts social security numbers, bank numbers, and the names of children. Adoption files are sealed by § 9-9-217. Guardianship medical reports may be limited to the parties.

Legal Help in Clark County

Legal Aid of Arkansas serves Clark County residents. Apply at arlegalaid.org for a free case screening. The Arkansas Bar Association runs a paid referral service for probate counsel. For self-filers, the state court self-help page at arcourts.gov has the forms you need to open or close a probate case on your own.

More Probate Court Records Tips

Before you head to the clerk, gather a few key facts. The full legal name of the decedent is the most important. A date of death, even a rough year, helps narrow the index. If you know the case number from a prior filing, bring that too. Staff can pull the right probate file in minutes when you come prepared.

Pay by check or money order if you mail a request. Some clerks take credit cards at the counter. Probate court records can also be ordered in batches, which saves time when you need several certified copies of the same order. Ask the clerk to quote a total before you pay.

Clark County Probate Court Records Deadlines

Time rules shape every probate file in Clark County. A will must be offered for probate within five years of the death under Arkansas Code § 28-40-103. Miss the window and the court may refuse to admit the will. Creditors get six months from first publication to file a claim per § 28-40-111. A personal representative files an inventory within 60 days under § 28-48-101. The final accounting comes at the close under § 28-52-101.

Guardianship hearings run on a 20-day notice under § 28-65-207. Interested parties can ask for written notice on any estate hearing per § 28-65-209. These rules apply statewide. The Clark County Clerk follows the same deadlines as every other Arkansas county.

Nearby Arkansas Counties

Clark County sits in south central Arkansas. Many probate cases cross lines with these nearby counties.