Arkansas · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Arkansas: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Arkansas, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Arkansas

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$5,000
Court
District Court small claims
Filing fee
$65–$68
Lawyers
No lawyers

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Arkansas

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
60 days
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
3 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Arkansas

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
Minimum wage (2026)
$11.00
Final paycheck if fired
See the guide
Deadline to file a wage claim
See the guide

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Arkansas

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
24 mo / 24,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
Required

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Arkansas

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
3rd Monday of August (county EQ Board)
Where you appeal first
County Equalization Board appeal
Median effective tax rate
0.55%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,040

Closed for 2026As of October 21, 2026, the 2026 appeal deadlines have passed: Equalization Board requests were due August 17, 2026, and county court petitions October 12, 2026 (county courts hold those hearings by November 15). The next window opens when 2027 value-change notices go out in July 2027; the Equalization Board deadline is Monday, August 16, 2027. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Arkansas

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
See the rules
Homestead deadline
October 15
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Arkansas

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt
Held by the state
Over $400 million (November 2025)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Arkansas

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
60 days (with exceptions)
Waiting period
30 days after filing
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Arkansas

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt
5 years (written contract), 3 years (open account)
Wage garnishment limit
25% (federal limit)
State license for collectors
Yes

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Arkansas

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Arkansas
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit60 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent3 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claimSee the guideWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedSee the guideWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period24 mo / 24,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineFile suit within 2 years after you first report the defect to the manufacturer or dealer; if you start the informal dispute program, the 2 years run from when that program begins (Ark. Code Ann. § 4-90-416).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal3rd Monday of August (county EQ Board)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineOctober 15Exemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file60 days (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period30 days after filingDivorce Law Map
Debt collectorsTime limit to sue on a debt5 years (written contract), 3 years (open account)Debt Collector Map

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