How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Arkansas
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Arkansans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Arkansas.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated March 11, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Arkansas
If you feel like you’re drowning in debt and just can’t make progress, you aren’t alone. Many people in Arkansas have used Chapter 7 bankruptcy to get a fresh start and leave debt behind. You don’t have to hire a lawyer to file successfully.
Whether you use Upsolve or go the fully DIY route, this guide is here to support you each step of the way. It covers each step in the process, from gathering your documents to filing with the court.
Step 1: See if You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them.
👉 If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income.
If your income is below Arkansas's median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
Arkansas Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist.
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
Upsolve generates your bankruptcy forms based on your answers, organized and ready to sign. You can file your forms by mail or in person at your local courthouse.
How filling with Upsolve works.
Will I Qualify for a Filing Fee Wavier?
If you don't think you can come up with the $338 Chapter 7 filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it when you file your bankruptcy paperwork. People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
Arkansas Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2026Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting.
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge?
Arkansas Bankruptcy Districts
The Arkansas Bankruptcy Court is divided into two districts: The Eastern District and the Western District.
The filing process is the same in both districts, but the court that handles your case is determined by which county you live in.
You can use the table below or check the map to see which district you’re in.
| District | Division/Court Location | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern District of Arkansas | Central | Cleburne, Cleveland, Conway, Dallas, Drew, Faulkner, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Prairie, Saline, Stone, Van Buren, White, Yell |
| Delta | Arkansas, Chicot, Crittenden, Desha, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis | |
| Northern | Clay, Craighead, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Sharp, and Woodruff counties | |
| Western District of Arkansas | El Dorado | Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita, and |
| Fayetteville | Benton, Madison, and Washington | |
| Ft. Smith | Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Polk, and Sebastian | |
| Harrison | Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Marion, Newton, and Searcy | |
| Hot Springs | Clark, Garland, Hot Spring, Montgomery, and Pike | |
| Texarkana | Howard, Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Sevier |
Arkansas Bankruptcy Filing Requirements
If you're filing without a lawyer (pro se), you can submit your paperwork in person or by mail.
📍The Arkansas Bankruptcy Court has two main filing offices:
| Eastern District Filing Office | Western District Filing Office |
|---|---|
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court 300 W. 2nd Street Little Rock, AR 72201 | U.S. Bankruptcy Court Divisional Office 35 E. Mountain Street, Room 316 Fayetteville, AR 72701 |
You can pay the filing fee in person using a money order or certified check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. If you have exact cash, you can also pay in cash but only at the Little Rock office. Personal checks and credit cards aren’t accepted at any court location.
⚠️ All mailed payments must go to the Little Rock office. Don’t mail cash.
Local Forms/Requirements for Arkansas
No matter which district you're filing in, you'll need to follow certain court requirements. One of the most important is preparing and submitting your creditor matrix.
📬 Your creditor matrix is a list of everyone you owe money to, along with their mailing addresses. The court uses this list to send official notices and track claims in your case. The court has step-by-step instructions on how to correctly format your creditor matrix.
👉 For full details on what's required when you file, including payment options and which forms to submit, see the Chapter 7 Individual Filing Requirements on the court’s website.
Arkansas Legal Aid Organizations
In addition to Upsolve, you may be able to get help from free or low-cost legal aid organizations. These can be a good option if you’re not hiring a lawyer but still want some legal advice or support during your bankruptcy case.
Center for Arkansas Legal Services (501) 376-3423 201 East Markham St., Suite 500, Little Rock, AR 72201
Legal Aid of Arkansas, Inc. (870) 972-9224 714 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401
