Small claims court in Arkansas (2026)
In Arkansas you can sue for up to $5,000 in small claims. Court: Small claims division of the District Court. Lawyers: not allowed. Appeal: either side, 30 days. For a broken written agreement you generally have 5 years to sue. Last checked .
Arkansas small claims at a glance
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000
- Court
- Small claims division of the District Court
- Filing fee
- Set by each court
- Lawyers
- Not allowed
- Appeal
- Either side, 30 days
- Ask for payment first
- Not required by law
Can you sue in Arkansas small claims?
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Arkansas small claims limit
$5,000
Enter the amount to compare it with the limit.
The rule: Up to $5,000, not counting interest, costs and attorney fees. The division hears contract claims, recovery of personal property worth up to $5,000, and damage to personal property up to $5,000; personal injury claims are not listed in its jurisdiction.
Deadline to sue (general rule)
5 years for this kind of claim in Arkansas. Enter the date it happened to see the last day.
Written contract: 5 years from the date it was broken. Oral contract: 3 years. Recovery of personal property: 3 years from when it was taken. Damage to personal property: 3 years from when it was damaged. The personal injury period was not confirmed from an official source.
Lawyers: Lawyers generally can't represent you in small claims court.
Collectors: a company that bought or was assigned the debt can't use small claims court in Arkansas.
Before you file: Not required. The Attorney General's checklist advises contacting the other party to try to resolve the problem before filing.
Appeal: File with the circuit clerk within 30 days of the docket entry awarding judgment, with a certified copy of the docket sheet or record and of the claim form. Motions for new trial do not extend the 30 days. Appeals from district court are de novo. The appellant pays a new filing fee and, if the judgment is for a set amount of money, may have to post a bond in that amount.
Filing fee: Set by each district court. The Attorney General says the fee typically varies between $30 and $65; example: Little Rock District Court charges $65 for small claims under $5,000, with service fees (e.g. $50 Pulaski County Sheriff) paid separately. Electronic filing adds a $20 fee.
The deadline shown is the general statute of limitations counted from the date you entered. The real deadline can be later (for example when the problem was discovered later or the other side left the state) or earlier (a contract can shorten it, and claims against a government agency often need a written notice first, on a much shorter clock). If you are close to it, file now or ask a legal aid office. This is legal information, not legal advice.
Where to file and how much
- Court. Each district court has a small claims division. File in the county where a defendant lives or where the defendant was to perform the obligation.
- Limit. Up to $5,000, not counting interest, costs and attorney fees. The division hears contract claims, recovery of personal property worth up to $5,000, and damage to personal property up to $5,000; personal injury claims are not listed in its jurisdiction.
- Filing fee. Set by each district court. The Attorney General says the fee typically varies between $30 and $65; example: Little Rock District Court charges $65 for small claims under $5,000, with service fees (e.g. $50 Pulaski County Sheriff) paid separately. Electronic filing adds a $20 fee.
Who can sue and who can speak in court
- Anyone 18 or older may sue; a minor sues through a parent, relative or next friend over 18. No attorney or anyone other than the plaintiff and defendant may take part; if a lawyer appears, the case moves to the civil docket. Only certain closely held Arkansas corporations may sue, through an officer. Collection agencies, assignees and money lenders may not file.
- A collection agency or anyone who was assigned or bought the claim can't file it in small claims.
- Before you file. Not required. The Attorney General's checklist advises contacting the other party to try to resolve the problem before filing.
- Jury and moving the case. Small claims cases are tried informally before the judge with relaxed rules of evidence. An appeal to circuit court is a new (de novo) case.
How long you have to sue in Arkansas
The general statute of limitations, counted from the day the agreement was broken or the damage happened. Written contract: 5 years from the date it was broken. Oral contract: 3 years. Recovery of personal property: 3 years from when it was taken. Damage to personal property: 3 years from when it was damaged. The personal injury period was not confirmed from an official source.
| Kind of claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 5 years |
| Oral (spoken) agreement | 3 years |
| Damage to property | 3 years |
| Personal injury | Not listed |
Law: Ark. Code 16-56-111, 16-56-105 (as listed in AOC District Court Benchbook, rev. 2017); Arkansas AG Guide to Small Claims Court
After the hearing: appeals and collecting
- Who can appeal
- Either side can appeal.
- Kind of appeal
- A new trial in a higher court
- Deadline
- File with the circuit clerk within 30 days of the docket entry awarding judgment, with a certified copy of the docket sheet or record and of the claim form. Motions for new trial do not extend the 30 days. Appeals from district court are de novo. The appellant pays a new filing fee and, if the judgment is for a set amount of money, may have to post a bond in that amount.
- Collecting the money
- Collection works as in other cases: wage garnishment (up to 25% of net disposable income), bank garnishment, or a writ of execution for the sheriff to seize and sell property. No execution issues until 10 days after judgment unless the court orders otherwise. The winner recovers costs, including service and enforcement costs. A judgment lasts 10 years from the date rendered unless revived before then; issuing execution or garnishment restarts the period.
Good to know in Arkansas
- The claim form must be presented by the plaintiff in person; the clerk serves by certified mail unless sheriff service is requested.
- The defendant has 30 days after service to answer.
- No discovery (except in aid of execution), no new parties and no intervention in small claims.
- No prejudgment attachment or garnishment.
- Personal injury and property damage limitation periods left null: not confirmed from an official source.
Official help and forms
- Arkansas courts: small claims self-help
- Write a demand letter before you file (free, stays in your browser)
Sources
- Arkansas District Court Rules (Rules 1, 9, 10), Arkansas Judiciary (read October 18, 2026)
- Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Orders (AO 18 secs. 3-4; AO 21) (read October 18, 2026)
- Guide to Small Claims Court, Arkansas Attorney General (read October 18, 2026)
- Little Rock District Court civil small claims filing instructions (read October 18, 2026)
- Arkansas District Court Benchbook (Administrative Office of the Courts, rev. 2017) (read October 18, 2026)
Court information, not legal advice. Limits and fees change — confirm with the court before you file. How we check: methodology.
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