Arkansas · Roommate money dispute

Roommate money dispute in Arkansas small claims

Ex-roommate owes you money? Recover it in small claims.

When a roommate leaves without paying their share of rent, utilities, or other agreed expenses — or when money was lent and not repaid — small claims court is an accessible option to recover. Your case turns on showing what was agreed, what was paid by each person, and what remains unpaid. A written roommate agreement or lease addendum is the strongest evidence, but texts, emails, and payment records can also establish the arrangement.

In Arkansas, small-claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Division of the District Court and you can sue for up to $5,000.

Good to know: Arkansas small claims is not a separate court but a division within each District Court, with its own docket. Attorneys cannot practice in it, and collection agencies and lenders cannot file there.

Roommate money dispute: steps that matter

1. Gather your roommate agreement, lease, and any written communications about shared expenses, payments made, and what was owed.
2. Compile payment records showing what you paid and what the other person did or did not pay.
3. Send a written demand for the amount owed and keep proof you sent it.
4. File in the court for the county where the rental property is located or where the defendant currently lives.

Filing your claim form in Arkansas

1. Complete the claim form. Complete the claim form (complaint) with the names and addresses of both parties, the amount of money or property claimed, and a short explanation of why the defendant owes it. The clerk provides blank forms.
2. File with the clerk and pay the fee. File with the District Court clerk for the proper venue, usually where the defendant lives or where the contract was to be performed (Ark. Code Ann. 16-17-706), and pay the filing fee.
3. Have the defendant served. Unless you request sheriff service, the clerk serves the defendant by certified mail (return receipt, addressee only) with a copy of the claim form. The defendant must be served within 120 days of filing.
4. Wait for the answer or seek default. The defendant has 30 days after service to file an answer. If none is filed, the court may enter a default judgment.
5. Attend the informal hearing. The case is tried informally with relaxed rules of evidence. You carry the burden of proof, and both sides may bring witnesses.

Filing fees: The District Court Benchbook lists a $50 statutory filing fee (Ark. Code Ann. 16-17-705) plus a $15 technology fee; the Attorney General's guide puts the typical total at $30 to $65. Service costs are extra. Verify the amount with your court.

Deadline that applies to your roommate money dispute

A roommate money dispute is usually a contract or debt claim — unpaid shared expenses, a loan between roommates, or one roommate leaving the other holding the lease. The statute of limitations is typically the contract or debt period, starting from when the money was due or the last payment was made.

Written contract: 5 years from the date the contract is broken (Ark. Code Ann. 16-56-111)

Answering a lawsuit: 30 days after the claim form is served on the defendant.

Serving the defendant: Unless you request the sheriff, the defendant is served by certified mail (return receipt, addressee only) with a copy of the claim form. The case is not commenced unless the defendant is served within 120 days of filing.

Appeals: Either party may appeal to circuit court within 30 days of the judgment being entered on the docket, where the case is tried de novo (Ark. Dist. Ct. R. 9 and 10).

All Arkansas small-claims deadlines

The table below lists the filing deadlines Small Claims Division of the District Court applies by claim category. Confirm the exact rule that applies to your roommate money dispute claim with your court before relying on any figure.

Arkansas small-claims forms for your roommate money dispute case

These forms are published by the Small Claims Division of the District Court. Download and complete them before filing.

• Official Form of Summons (Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 4): Supreme Court of Arkansas approved summons (revised effective January 1, 2019) used where personal service is made under Rule 4; incorporates a proof of service for completion by a sheriff, deputy, or other authorized person.
• Notice and Acknowledgment for Service by Mail: Form accompanying service of process by mail, by which the defendant acknowledges receipt of the claim/summons.
• Civil Cover Sheet: Cover sheet filed with civil and small claims actions in district court identifying the parties and nature of the case.
• Civil Cover Sheet - Instructions: Instructions for completing the district court civil cover sheet.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: Arkansas Judiciary: District Court Benchbook (Administrative Office of the Courts). Last reviewed 2026-06-24.