Dallas County Bankruptcy Records Search
Dallas County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. This page explains how to find those records online, contact the circuit clerk in Fordyce, and use both federal and state tools for public court record searches.
Dallas County at a Glance
Federal Bankruptcy Court for Dallas County Residents
Dallas County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. All bankruptcy petitions, whether Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, or Chapter 13, are filed at the federal courthouse at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The court's phone number is 501-918-5500. It is part of the 8th U.S. Circuit and operates on the NextGen CM/ECF electronic filing platform.
Dallas County is a small, rural county in south-central Arkansas. The county seat of Fordyce is about 80 miles south of Little Rock. Because the federal courthouse is in Little Rock, most Dallas County residents who file bankruptcy do so through an attorney who handles all the electronic filings remotely. There is no federal courthouse or branch office in Fordyce or anywhere else in Dallas County.
For phone-based access to case information without PACER, dial the Multi-court Voice Case Information System at 1-866-222-8029. This toll-free system is available 24 hours a day. You can check basic case status, chapter type, filing date, and trustee assignment by entering a debtor name or case number on a touch-tone phone.
Dallas County Circuit Clerk Office in Fordyce
The Dallas County Circuit Clerk, Dori Keeton, maintains state court records for the county. The office is at 206 W 3rd St, Fordyce, AR 71742. Phone: (870) 352-3371. State records held here include civil cases, criminal matters, domestic relations filings such as divorce and child support orders, juvenile cases, and real estate records such as deeds, mortgages, and property liens.
Additional information about Dallas County circuit clerk records is available at arcountyrecords.com/search/dallas. This directory provides contact details and a summary of the type of records held by the office. The Dallas County Services Portal at mobile.countyservice.net offers property information and county department contacts.
State circuit court records and federal bankruptcy records are managed by completely different offices and systems. The circuit clerk cannot assist with federal bankruptcy inquiries. If you need both types of records, search PACER for the federal side and use CourtConnect or contact the circuit clerk's office for the state side.
How to Find Dallas County Bankruptcy Records on PACER
PACER is the federal court's public access system for electronic records. Register for a free account at pacer.uscourts.gov. After logging in, select the Arkansas Eastern Bankruptcy Court from the court list. Search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Quarterly charges under $30 are not billed.
PACER shows the full docket for each case. You can open and print any document in the file, including the original petition, creditor and property schedules, financial statements, trustee reports, plan documents for Chapter 13 cases, and the final discharge or dismissal order. The PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov lets you search all federal courts simultaneously, which is useful when you are not sure which district handled a specific case.
What Dallas County Bankruptcy Case Files Include
Each Dallas County bankruptcy case file is a public record under federal law. The case starts with a petition that names the debtor, states the filing date, and identifies the chapter type. Attached schedules list all creditors and the amounts owed, all property owned by the debtor, monthly income from all sources, and monthly expenses. A statement of financial affairs covers the debtor's recent financial history, including income for the prior two years, recent property transfers, and any pending lawsuits.
Social Security numbers in public bankruptcy filings are limited to the last four digits under federal rules. Bank account numbers and similar financial details in creditor claims are also redacted. The public record is available on PACER from the day of filing and stays accessible after the case closes. Certified copies of any document in the case file can be ordered from the bankruptcy court clerk's office in Little Rock. Certification costs $12 per document. Paper copies cost $0.50 per page.
Dallas County Court Records via CourtConnect
The Arkansas Judiciary's CourtConnect portal at caseinfo.arcourts.gov provides free access to state circuit court records in Dallas County. You can search by party name or case number and see civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate case data. Coverage depends on how far back the county has digitized its records. Some older cases may only be accessible in person at the courthouse.
CourtConnect is a good starting point for checking state judgments or liens before looking up bankruptcy records on PACER. If you find a judgment in CourtConnect and want to know whether a bankruptcy case was also filed, you need to run a separate PACER search. The two systems do not share data. For help with CourtConnect, call the Administrative Office of the Courts at (501) 410-1900, option 1, or toll-free at (866) 823-5778.
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Options in Dallas County
Most Dallas County residents who file for bankruptcy use either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation filing. After a trustee looks at your income and assets, most unsecured debts are wiped out if you pass the means test. The whole process typically takes three to four months. Chapter 13 is a reorganization plan lasting three to five years. You keep your property and pay back some debt in monthly installments. This chapter works best for people with regular income who are behind on a mortgage or car loan and want to avoid losing those assets.
Chapter 12 is available for family farmers and fishermen with regular annual income. Rural counties like Dallas County do have some agricultural operations, so Chapter 12 filings come through the Eastern District court from time to time. Chapter 11 handles businesses or high-income individuals with complex restructuring needs. Federal law requires an approved credit counseling session before you file. That session must take place within 180 days of your filing date. After discharge is granted, a debtor education course must also be completed. Both requirements can be satisfied online through U.S. Trustee-approved agencies. Filing fees are set by federal law. Chapter 7 costs $338. Chapter 13 costs $313. Fee waivers and installment plans are available for qualifying low-income filers.
Arkansas Bankruptcy Exemptions for Dallas County Filers
Arkansas allows filers to protect certain property when they file bankruptcy. The homestead exemption covers up to 160 acres outside a city or town, or 1 acre inside a city or town. The value limit is $2,500 in both cases. If federal exemptions offer more protection for your specific assets, you may use those instead. You must choose one set or the other before filing. You cannot combine both lists.
Under state law, all clothing and wedding rings are protected. Tools needed for your work are also exempt. Married filers and heads of household can protect up to $500 in other personal property. Single filers without dependents are limited to $200. Wages that have been earned but not yet received are protected from garnishment. Government benefits including Social Security, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation are also exempt. Getting advice from a bankruptcy attorney before you file can help ensure you maximize the protections available to you.
Getting Copies of Dallas County Bankruptcy Records
PACER is the easiest way to get copies of bankruptcy records. You download documents online for $0.10 per page. For certified copies for official or legal use, contact the bankruptcy court clerk's office in Little Rock. Paper copies cost $0.50 per page. Certification adds $12 per document. An exemplified copy carries a higher level of authentication and costs $24. These fees apply to all Eastern District cases from Dallas County.
To request records by mail, write to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Include the case number, debtor name, a list of documents needed, and a check or money order for the correct amount. Call 501-918-5500 to confirm fees before mailing. Walk-in requests can be made at the clerk's counter during normal business hours. The Arkansas Association of Counties at arcounties.org provides county-level contact information that may help when looking for other Dallas County government offices.
Legal Aid for Dallas County Bankruptcy Filers
Dallas County residents who cannot afford a bankruptcy attorney may qualify for free help. Legal Aid of Arkansas and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services serve south-central Arkansas residents who meet income guidelines. Call or check their websites to apply. If you do not qualify for free legal aid, the Arkansas Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with private bankruptcy attorneys. Many offer a free first consultation. Filing without an attorney is allowed, but the paperwork is complex and deadlines are strict. The court's website at arb.uscourts.gov has forms, local rules, and procedural guides to help pro se filers understand what is expected.
Nearby Counties in the Eastern District
Dallas County is bordered by several other Eastern District Arkansas counties: