Find Faulkner County Bankruptcy Records
Faulkner County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. This page covers federal case search tools, Circuit Clerk contact information, online document access, and local resources for residents in Conway and throughout the county.
Faulkner County at a Glance
Faulkner County Bankruptcy Court Overview
Faulkner County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The Eastern District handles all federal bankruptcy cases for 41 counties, including Faulkner. Petitions must be filed at the Little Rock office located at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. The court's general phone number is 501-918-5500. All filings are electronic through the CM/ECF system for registered attorneys. Pro se filers submit paper documents.
The Eastern District runs on NextGen CM/ECF, which went live on December 17, 2001. The software handles all electronic case filing and public record access. For basic case information by phone, the Multi-court Voice Case Information System is available at 1-866-222-8029, extension 243. This system is free and operates 24 hours a day. You can get filing dates, case status, chapter type, and trustee info without logging into any system.
Common bankruptcy chapters for Faulkner County residents include Chapter 7, which discharges most unsecured debt after a means test, and Chapter 13, a structured repayment plan lasting three to five years. Filing fees start at $78 for Chapter 7. Chapter 11 carries a $571 fee. Motion to reopen fees also apply and vary by chapter. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current fee schedules before filing.
PACER Search for Faulkner County Bankruptcy Cases
PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov is the main tool for searching bankruptcy case records in Faulkner County. Registration is free. Provide a credit card for same-day access, or register without one and receive login credentials by mail within a week. Once logged in, navigate to the Arkansas Eastern Bankruptcy Court and search by debtor name, case number, or the last four digits of a social security number.
PACER charges $0.10 per page and caps individual documents at $3.00. Quarterly charges under $30 are waived. Results include all filed documents, docket entries, creditor mailing matrices, trustee assignments, discharge orders, and case status. For a nationwide case search, use the PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov. This tool queries bankruptcy courts across all federal districts and is helpful when a debtor may have filed in another state or district.
Faulkner County Circuit Clerk Records
Circuit Clerk Nancy Eastham maintains state-level court records for Faulkner County. The office is at 724 Locust Ave., Conway, AR 72034. Mailing address: P.O. Box 9, Conway, AR 72033. Phone: 501-450-4911. Fax: 501-450-4948. The Circuit Clerk's office covers the 20th Judicial Circuit and keeps records for civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations, and probate matters. These are state records and are separate from federal bankruptcy filings.
The Circuit Clerk also serves as ex-officio recorder for real estate records. Deed filings, mortgage records, judgment liens, and UCC filings in Faulkner County are maintained here. If you are researching whether a bankruptcy debtor had property liens in Conway or elsewhere in the county, this office is the place to check. The Faulkner County records search at faulknercircuitclerk.com includes real estate data from 1972 to present. BIS electronic land recording is available through this portal.
Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. For certified copies, expect an additional fee above the standard per-page rate. If your request exceeds $25, Arkansas law requires payment before the clerk pulls the records. Bring identification and as much case information as you have, including names of parties, approximate filing dates, and case type.
Faulkner County Records Search Online
The Faulkner County Circuit Clerk's online records portal at faulknercircuitclerk.com/searchrecords provides access to real estate data and images. Records go back to 1972. This tool is useful for checking deed history, mortgage filings, and property transfers in Faulkner County. Bankruptcy trustees use this type of data to assess debtor assets and property values during the case.
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov covers state circuit court cases for Faulkner County. You can search by party name or case number. Results show case type, filing date, and current status. Federal bankruptcy cases are not listed here, but civil judgments, support orders, and criminal records that may relate to a debtor's overall financial situation are searchable through this portal.
Some records are restricted from public view under Administrative Order 19. If you need a restricted record, you must visit the courthouse in person and make your request directly with the Circuit Clerk's office.
Arkansas Exemptions and Faulkner County Bankruptcy Filings
Arkansas filers get to choose between state and federal bankruptcy exemptions. Under Arkansas Code Section 16-66-210, the homestead exemption protects primary residence property. Urban homesteads of up to one acre and rural homesteads of up to 160 acres can be protected, with value limits. Personal property protections include clothing, a wedding ring, and up to $500 for married filers and heads of household in general personal property.
Income sources like Social Security, disability payments, unemployment benefits, and workers' compensation are also protected under Arkansas law. Qualified retirement accounts generally carry their own federal protections regardless of which exemption set the filer chooses. The bankruptcy trustee assigned to each Faulkner County case reviews all claimed exemptions and may object if an exemption seems improper. Creditors also have standing to object within a set time window after the case is filed.
Legal Help for Faulkner County Residents
Free legal aid for qualifying low-income residents is available through the Center for Arkansas Legal Services. The organization covers bankruptcy matters and can help with form completion and court preparation. The Arkansas Bar Association also provides a lawyer referral service where an initial consultation can be arranged at a reduced flat fee.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court website at arb.uscourts.gov provides local rules, forms, a list of approved credit counseling agencies, and filing instructions. Every bankruptcy filer must complete a credit counseling course before filing and a debtor education course before receiving a discharge. These courses must come from court-approved providers. A list is available on the court's website.
Nearby Counties
Faulkner County is located in central Arkansas. Adjacent counties share the Eastern District bankruptcy jurisdiction and can provide comparable local resources.