Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Arkansas
The most you can sue for in Arkansas small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Arkansas
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $5,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$30–$65 by district court: each court sets its own fee, commonly around $30 to $65, and the cost of serving each defendant is charged separately |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Not allowedSelf-represent only Arkansas is one of the strictest no-lawyer states. Under Ark. Code §16-17-606 an attorney may not participate in any part of a small-claims case. If a lawyer gets involved, the case is moved out of the small-claims division to the regular district court civil docket. A corporation must appear through a non-attorney officer or employee. |
| Statute / court rule | Ark. Code §16-17-704 (limit); §16-17-606 (no attorneys) |
The small claims division sits inside each district court and covers contracts, money owed, and recovery of or damage to personal property where the amount does not exceed $5,000.
Where to file in Arkansas
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Arkansas's official court self-help resource.
→ Legal Aid of Arkansas (small claims self-help)What Arkansas filers get wrong
Arkansas caps small claims at $5,000, and it is one of the few states that keeps lawyers out entirely. The small-claims division sits inside each district court and handles contract disputes, money owed, and damage to or recovery of personal property up to $5,000. The no-lawyer rule is real: under Ark. Code §16-17-606, no attorney may take part in any stage of a small-claims case, and if one does, the case is bumped to the regular district court docket. A business can still use small claims, but it has to send a non-attorney officer or employee. Two state .gov pages, the Attorney General's consumer guide and the Arkansas Judiciary's district-court page, both confirm the $5,000 figure. We flagged this page as Draft because we could not open an official code portal to read the exact statute text, and the common citation for the limit is §16-17-704 rather than the section some references list.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Arkansas?
The small-claims division of the district court hears claims up to $5,000. It covers contracts, money owed, and disputes over personal property.
Can I have a lawyer in Arkansas small claims court?
No. Under Ark. Code §16-17-606, an attorney may not participate in any part of a small-claims case. If a lawyer enters the case, it is transferred to the regular district court docket.
Can a business use Arkansas small claims court?
Yes, but since lawyers are barred, a corporation must appear through a non-attorney officer or employee. Individuals represent themselves.
How much does it cost to file small claims in Arkansas?
It varies by district court, commonly around $30 to $65, and the cost of serving each defendant is billed separately. Fee waivers are available for filers who cannot afford the cost.
What happens if my claim is worth more than $5,000 in Arkansas?
You cannot use the small-claims division for the full amount. You would either file in the regular district court civil docket or waive the portion above $5,000 to stay in small claims.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.