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Filing Bankruptcy in Arkansas: Means Test, Exemptions and Courts

Bankruptcy in Arkansas: the means-test median income, which exemptions you can use, homestead, car and wildcard exemptions, retirement protection and the bankruptcy court.

Quick answers for Arkansas

Means test median income
1 person: $58,421; 2 people: $73,630; 3 people: $82,329; 4 people: $97,054; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)
State or federal exemptions
Arkansas residents may choose either the exemptions under the Arkansas Constitution and laws, or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d). Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-217
Homestead exemption
Under the state system: a rural homestead of up to 160 acres with improvements, up to $2,500 in value but never less than 80 acres regardless of value; Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-218(a)(1), (b)(3)-(4); Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 4-5
Bankruptcy court
Arkansas has two federal districts (Eastern and Western), served by one combined court: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas (https://www.arb.uscourts.gov). U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. & W.D. Ark. website

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Qualifying for Chapter 7

Means test median income1 person: $58,421; 2 people: $73,630; 3 people: $82,329; 4 people: $97,054; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required.
Source: U.S. Trustee Program, Census Bureau Median Family Income By Family Size (Cases Filed On or After July 15, 2026)

What you can keep (exemptions)

State or federal exemptionsArkansas residents may choose either the exemptions under the Arkansas Constitution and laws, or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-217
Homestead exemptionUnder the state system: a rural homestead of up to 160 acres with improvements, up to $2,500 in value but never less than 80 acres regardless of value; or an urban homestead of up to 1 acre, up to $2,500 in value but never less than one-quarter acre regardless of value (Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 4-5, as listed in the statute). The statute's bankruptcy list also includes a residence exemption of $800 (unmarried) or $1,250 (married).
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code. A filer who elects the federal list uses 11 U.S.C. 522(d)(1) instead.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-218(a)(1), (b)(3)-(4); Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 4-5
Car exemptionThe debtor's interest in one motor vehicle, up to $1,200.
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-218(a)(2)
Wildcard exemptionPersonal property of the filer's choosing (in addition to clothing): up to $500 for a married person or head of a family, or $200 for an unmarried person who is not a head of family (Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 1-2).
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-218(b)(1)-(2); Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 1-2
Retirement accountsAssets in, and the right to payments from, pension, profit-sharing and similar plans (including self-employed plans), IRAs and simplified employee pensions are exempt, unless the plan or account does not qualify under the Internal Revenue Code. Separately, the bankruptcy list in 16-66-218(b)(16) protects IRA deposits made more than one year before filing, up to $20,000.
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-220(a)(1); 16-66-218(b)(16)
WagesWages of laborers and mechanics for 60 days are exempt (subject to the constitutional personal property limits), and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt.
Read on FindLaw (codes "current as of March 28, 2024"), a mirror permitted for Arkansas; verify against the official Arkansas Code.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. 16-66-208(a)(1), (b)(1); 16-66-218(b)(6)

Where and how to file

Bankruptcy courtArkansas has two federal districts (Eastern and Western), served by one combined court: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas (https://www.arb.uscourts.gov).
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. & W.D. Ark. website
Filing without a lawyerThe court's home page links to a "For Debtors" page, filing information, forms, and local rules and orders, and states that court staff cannot give legal advice. It does not list a dedicated pro se program, eSR, or clinic.
For Debtors: https://www.arb.uscourts.gov/debtors
Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, E.D. & W.D. Ark. home page

Bankruptcy FAQ

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Arkansas?
Arkansas has two federal districts (Eastern and Western), served by one combined court: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Arkansas (https://www.arb.uscourts.gov).
What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Arkansas?
1 person: $58,421; 2 people: $73,630; 3 people: $82,329; 4 people: $97,054; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).
Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Arkansas?
Arkansas residents may choose either the exemptions under the Arkansas Constitution and laws, or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d).
How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Arkansas?
Under the state system: a rural homestead of up to 160 acres with improvements, up to $2,500 in value but never less than 80 acres regardless of value; or an urban homestead of up to 1 acre, up to $2,500 in value but never less than one-quarter acre regardless of value (Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 4-5, as listed in the statute). The statute's bankruptcy list also includes a residence exemption of $800 (unmarried) or $1,250 (married).
Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Arkansas?
The debtor's interest in one motor vehicle, up to $1,200.
Does Arkansas have a wildcard exemption?
Personal property of the filer's choosing (in addition to clothing): up to $500 for a married person or head of a family, or $200 for an unmarried person who is not a head of family (Ark. Const. art. 9, §§ 1-2).
Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Arkansas?
Assets in, and the right to payments from, pension, profit-sharing and similar plans (including self-employed plans), IRAs and simplified employee pensions are exempt, unless the plan or account does not qualify under the Internal Revenue Code. Separately, the bankruptcy list in 16-66-218(b)(16) protects IRA deposits made more than one year before filing, up to $20,000.
Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Arkansas?
Wages of laborers and mechanics for 60 days are exempt (subject to the constitutional personal property limits), and the first $25 per week of net wages is absolutely exempt.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Arkansas?
The court's home page links to a "For Debtors" page, filing information, forms, and local rules and orders, and states that court staff cannot give legal advice. It does not list a dedicated pro se program, eSR, or clinic.

Bankruptcy in other states

More Arkansas law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.