Grant County Bankruptcy Records
Grant County bankruptcy records are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. This page explains how to search those records through PACER, what the local Circuit and County Clerk in Sheridan can provide, and what other tools are available for finding court documents tied to Grant County residents and businesses.
Grant County at a Glance
Grant County Bankruptcy Filings and the Eastern District Court
Grant County is part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The main courthouse is at 300 W. 2nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201, reachable at 501-918-5500. All bankruptcy petitions from Sheridan and across Grant County go through this federal court. The Eastern District covers 41 Arkansas counties and manages all case filings electronically through CM/ECF.
For Grant County filers, the three most common chapters are Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debt through a liquidation process after a means test. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan lasting three to five years and requires regular income. Chapter 11 is primarily for businesses that need to reorganize debt while continuing operations. Filing fees are $78 for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and $571 for Chapter 11. These fees are due at the time of filing.
The court cannot provide legal advice. Staff will explain what forms are needed and how to file them, but decisions about which chapter to use and whether to file at all require consultation with an attorney or legal aid organization. Arkansas Legal Aid and the Center for Arkansas Legal Services are two options available to qualifying low-income Grant County residents.
How to Search Grant County Bankruptcy Cases on PACER
PACER is where all federal bankruptcy case data is stored. Go to pacer.uscourts.gov to register. Registration is free. You can provide a credit card and get same-day access, or register without one and receive login credentials in the mail within about a week. Log into the Eastern District of Arkansas Bankruptcy Court and search by debtor name, case number, or last four digits of a social security number.
The cost for each page of records is $0.10. Single documents are capped at $3.00. If quarterly charges stay under $30, they are waived. PACER records include the full case docket, filed petitions and schedules, creditor lists, trustee information, and any discharge or dismissal orders. For a cross-court search, the PACER Case Locator at pcl.uscourts.gov searches all federal courts at once.
Want basic case details without logging in? Call 1-866-222-8029, the Multi-court Voice Case Information System. This automated line runs 24 hours a day and provides case status, filing date, chapter type, judge, and trustee at no charge. It is a good starting point before committing to a PACER search.
Grant County Circuit and County Clerk
Grant County operates a combined Circuit and County Clerk office. Circuit and County Clerk Geral Harrison maintains both sets of records. Phone: 870-942-2551. Address: Grant County Courthouse, 101 W. Center, Sheridan, AR 72150. The Circuit Clerk portion of this combined office maintains civil, criminal, domestic relations, and juvenile court records for the 11th Judicial Circuit. These records are separate from federal bankruptcy filings.
The combined office also maintains real estate records, mortgage filings, judgment liens, and UCC filings for Grant County as part of the ex-officio recorder function. If you are researching property ownership or existing liens tied to a bankruptcy debtor in Grant County, this is the office to contact. The Grant County official website at grantcountyar.com provides additional information on county services and office contacts.
Walk-in visits during business hours are the most direct way to request records. If you need certified copies, expect an additional fee per document above the standard copy rate. For requests that total over $25, Arkansas law requires full payment before the clerk begins pulling records. Bring identification and as much case information as possible when visiting.
CourtConnect and State Case Search for Grant County
Arkansas CourtConnect at caseinfo.arcourts.gov is the state's free public search portal for circuit court cases. You can search Grant County civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations records by party name or case number. Federal bankruptcy filings are not included in this system, but the tool is useful for verifying whether a debtor had prior civil judgments or active liens at the time of a bankruptcy filing.
Records restricted under Administrative Order 19 may not appear in full online. For complete access, visit the Grant County Courthouse in person. The clerk will pull records directly during business hours. For property records specifically, the Grant County Mobile Services portal at mobile.countyservice.net/Home/County/102 provides online property assessment and records search tools for the county.
What Grant County Bankruptcy Records Include
A bankruptcy case file for a Grant County resident includes the debtor's full name, address, the chapter of bankruptcy filed, and the date of filing. The case number, assigned judge, and trustee name are all part of the public record. Creditor information appears in the filed schedules. Any motions, adversary proceedings, or objections filed during the case are part of the same public docket.
Full social security numbers do not appear in public filings. Only the last four digits are shown. Sealed records and certain sensitive financial details may be withheld. When the case closes, the discharge order or dismissal entry becomes part of the permanent record, accessible through PACER for years after the case ends. Business cases add entity names, officer lists, and detailed asset and liability schedules to the file.
Arkansas Bankruptcy Exemptions for Grant County Residents
Arkansas lets bankruptcy filers choose between state and federal exemption sets, but not both. Under Arkansas Code Section 16-66-210, the homestead exemption protects a primary residence on up to one acre in a city or up to 160 acres in a rural area. Value caps apply. Clothing, wedding rings, and limited general personal property are also protected under state law.
Income from Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and state pension funds is generally protected from creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding. Retirement accounts under federal law carry their own strong protections. The trustee reviews all exemptions claimed by a Grant County filer. Creditors can object to any claimed exemption within the window set by the court's local rules.
Nearby Counties
Grant County is in south-central Arkansas. All nearby counties share the Eastern District bankruptcy court for federal case filings.