Arkansas Bankruptcy
On this page, you will find Arkansas bankruptcy law resources and information.
If you are not looking for information regarding Arkansas, please use the links on the left to find information for your state.
- Courts - Location and Contact Information
- Bankruptcy Laws
- Approved Credit Counseling/Debtor Education Agencies
- Arkansas Attorneys
- Other Bankruptcy Arkansas Resources
Bankruptcy Courts - Location & Contact Information
Arkansas bankruptcy courts are divided into two districts, which are further divided into several divisions. Generally, the debtor’s county of residence will determine which district the bankruptcy petition is filed. It may also be determined by the location of the debtor’s principal place of business or principal assets.
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Fayetteville Division - Benton, Madison and Washington Counties
Harrison Division - Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Marion, Newton and Searcy Counties
Fort Smith Division - Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Polk, Scott and Sebastian Counties
Hot Springs Division - Clark, Garland, Hot Spring, Montgomery and Pike Counties
Texarkana Division - Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada and Sevier Counties
El Dorado Division - Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita and Union Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Fayetteville Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 35 E. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72702 |
(479) 582-9800 |
| Harrison Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 402 N. Walnut Harrison, AR 72601 |
(479) 521-6980 |
| Fort Smith Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court S 6th Street & Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, AR 72901 |
(479) 783-6833 |
| Hot Springs Division |
U.S. Bankruptcy Court 100 Reserve Street Hot Springs, AR 71901 |
(501) 623-6411 |
| Texarkana Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 500 State Line Blvd Texarkana, AR 71854 |
(870) 773-3381 |
| El Dorado Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 101 S. Jackson El Dorado, AR 71730 |
(870) 862-1202 |
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
Counties of Jurisdiction:
Little Rock Division - Conway, Faulkner, Lonoke, Perry, Pope, Prarie, Pulaski, Saline, Van Buren, White and Yell Counties
Batesville Division - Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp and Stone Counties
Jonesboro Division - Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett and Randolph Counties
Helena Division - Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis and Woodruff Counties
Pine Bluff Division - Arkansas, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties
| DIVISION | STREET ADDRESS | TELEPHONE |
| Little Rock Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 300 West 2nd Street Little Rock, AR 72201 |
(501) 918-5500 |
| Batesville Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 490 College Street Batesville, AR 72501 |
(870) 793-4330 |
| Jonesboro Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 615 South Main Street Jonesboro, AR 72401 |
(870) 972-4610 |
| Helena Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 812 Walnut Street Helena, AR 72342 |
(870) 338-6321 |
| Pine Bluff Division | U.S. Bankruptcy Court 100 E 8th Street Pine Bluff, AR 71601 |
(870) 536-1190 |
Arkansas Bankruptcy Laws and Exemptions
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code allows individual debtors to exempt certain property from creditor claims based on exemptions under either federal law or state law. Exemptions vary from state to state. Some states have adopted their own set of bankruptcy exemptions that are used in place of the federal exemptions. However, other states give debtors an option to choose between either state or federal exemptions.
Arkansas bankruptcy law allows residents to use either the federal set of exemptions or state exemptions.
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Click here to search for Arkansas bankruptcy exemptions pursuant to state law.
Contact an Arkansas bankruptcy lawyer for more information regarding Arkansas bankruptcy exemptions.
The new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005 also require that debtors pass a means test before filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There are two ways to pass the means test:
1. the debtor's annual income (calculated using the average gross income for the six month period prior to filing) must be below the state median. Census Bureau statistics for state median income by family size can be found here (for cases filed between April 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013).
2. If income exceeds the median income, individuals may still file Chapter 7 bankruptcy based on results of Form 22A: Chapter 7 Statement of Current Monthly Income and Means-Test Calculation. .
Arkansas Credit Counseling Debtor Education Agencies
Pursuant to the new bankruptcy laws enacted in 2005, individuals who file personal bankruptcy (with limited exceptions) in Arkansas must:
1. take a credit counseling course from an approved Arkansas credit counseling provider within six months before filing bankruptcy; and
2. complete a debtor education course from an approved Arkansas debtor education agency prior to receiving a bankruptcy discharge.
Arkansas Personal Bankruptcy Attorneys
To find lawyers in your area, you may want to contact your local county bar association or the Arkansas State Bar Association:
Arkansas Bar Association
400 West Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 375-4606
(800) 609-5668 Toll Free
Based on income, free bankruptcy advice and representation may also be obtained from the following organizations: Visit the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership's website for additional information regarding free legal services available in Arkansas.
If you are concerned about the representation provided to you by your attorney, contact:
Office of the Arkansas Supreme Court
Committee on Judicial Conduct
625 Marshall Street
110 Justice Building
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 376-0313
(800) 506-6631 Toll Free
Additional Resources
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas - administrative and procedural information for Arkansas bankruptcy filings
Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 13 - oversees the administration of Arkansas personal bankruptcy cases and case trustees
Arkansas State Bar Association - information about the Arkansas bar, membership, ethics, continuing legal education, and resources for the public.