The average cost of an eviction in Arkansas for all filing, court, and service fees is $263. However, the cost can vary depending on the county and type of process server. Eviction lawsuits must be filed in District Court or Circuit Court.[ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’]
| Fee | District/Circuit |
| Initial Court Filing | $165+ |
| Summons Service | $30+ |
| Writ of Possession Issuance | $20 |
| Writ of Possession Execution | $20 |
| Notice of Appeal (Optional) | $150 |
These filing, court, and service fees do not include outside costs such as legal fees or post-eviction fees (i.e., locksmith fees, storage costs for a tenant’s abandoned property, cleaning service fees, repair costs, or advertising costs for a vacant dwelling unit).
1. Initial Court Filing Fee
In Arkansas, if the eviction notice expires and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Unlawful Detainer”) with the court the following business day (or immediately for illegal activity evictions).
The filing fee for an initial Unlawful Detainer depends on the county, for example in Benton County the filing fee is $165 and in Faulkner County the filing fee is $185.
2. Summons Service Fee
Once a Complaint is filed in Arkansas, the court will issue a Summons. The Summons is the tenant’s official notice of an eviction lawsuit and contains important information (i.e., when/where to appear in court). The landlord must arrange for a process server to deliver the Summons to the tenant.
The Summons service fee varies by process server. For example, a sheriff may charge $30[ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’] for delivering a Summons; however, a private process server may charge more.
3. Writ of Possession Issuance Fee
If the court rules in favor of the landlord, the court shall issue a Writ of Possession. The writ is the tenant’s final notice to vacate the premises. The filing fee for a writ is $20. Note, the writ fee is applicable to all counties in Arkansas.
The writ is issued by the court 3 calendar days after judgment.
4. Writ of Possession Execution Fee
If a tenant remains on the property 24 hours after the Writ of Possession was issued to the tenant, an Arkansas sheriff may charge $20.[ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’]
The sheriff can charge the fee for executing the writ or returning to the property to remove the tenant.
5. Notice of Appeal Fee
If either party chooses to file an Appeal in Arkansas. The Appeal should be filed within 5 calendar days after service of the Notice of Appeal. The filing fee is $150. Note, the Notice of Appeal fee is applicable to all counties in Arkansas.
Sources
- 1 AR Code § 18-60-306 (2020)
-
(a) Forcible entries and detainers and unlawful detainers are cognizable before the:
(1) Circuit court of any county in which the offenses may be committed; and
(2) District court with jurisdiction concurrent with the jurisdiction of the circuit court, if permitted by rule or order of the Supreme Court.
- 2 AR Code § 21-6-307 (2020)
-
(a) The following fees shall be charged by each of the sheriffs of the several counties of the State of Arkansas:
(1) For serving every summons, capias, scire facias, attachment, writ of garnishment, writ of injunction, or subpoena $ 30.00
- 3 AR Code § 21-6-307 (2020)
-
(4) For every return of a writ, summons, or subpoena, original or judicial 20.00