Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I find information about Bankruptcy Laws?
2. How can I get information about a case?
3. How can I obtain copies of bankruptcy documents?
6. How do I change my ECF password?
7. What is the Filing Fee for?
8. How do I get to the Clerk's Office/Courthouse?
9. What documents are required to file bankruptcy?
10. What are the Court/Federal Holidays?
11. What is the attorney compensation for Chapter 13 cases?
12. Where can I report suspected Bankruptcy fraud or Bankruptcy crimes?
1. Where can I find information about Bankruptcy Laws?
For general information regarding bankruptcy law, please visit:
http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/Bankruptcy.aspx*
If you have questions about filing for bankruptcy, please consult with an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy law. While there is no Federal agency that provides private legal assistance, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) does fund locally-based legal aid services to people in financial need. To find the nearest LSC program, please choose your state and county information at:
Should you need to contact the LSC headquarters directly, you may do so at:
Legal Services Corporation
3333 K St. NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20007
Telephone: 202-295-1500
Fax: 202-337-6797
E-mail:info@lsc.gov
Webform:http://www.lsc.gov/about/contact.php*
If you are not eligible for legal assistance through the LSC, you may obtain a lawyer referral from the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) program provided by your local State Bar Association office. The LRS will match you with a lawyer based upon your specific legal need. To access a directory of LRS programs by state, please visit:
http://apps.americanbar.org/legalservices/lris/directory/*
2. How can I get information about a case?
McVCIS (Multiple Court Voice Case Information System) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling (866) 222-8029.
Bankruptcy cases are public records and are available for viewing and/or printing via computers in the Clerk's Office. See FAQ #3 below for information on obtaining copies from the court.
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) also provides case information and access to documents via the internet. Those with a PACER account can view, print, and/or save images of court documents using the PACER service. For more information on PACER, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/*.
The Clerk's Office staff is available to assist you from 8:00 - 5:00 on weekdays, at (501) 918-5500 or (479) 582-9800.
3. How can I obtain copies of bankruptcy documents?
Bankruptcy cases are public records and are available for viewing/printing through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system or public terminals in the Clerk's Office. For information on PACER or to sign up for a PACER account, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/*.
The charge to view/print documents through PACER is $ 0.10 per page. The charge to print documents, in person, at the courthouse public terminals is $ 0.10 per page. Copies made or printed by court staff will incur a fee of $.50 per page. Copies may be requested in person or by written letter. For request by letter, mail the request, with payment, to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 300 W. Second Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. For more information on copy request, please contact the Clerk's office at 501-918-5500. NOTE: Payment by debtors in an active bankruptcy matter must be cash only.
NOTE: Copies of pre-ECF documents (those filed before December 16, 2001) are located in the Federal Records Center in Fort Worth, TX. The form required to request documents is located here (http://www.arb.uscourts.gov/ecf/FRC/FRC.html)*. The Federal Records Center accepts copy requests from bankruptcy case files by mail, fax, or email. If you prefer to have the case shipped from Fort Worth to the Clerk's Office in Little Rock or Fayetteville to review, there is a $64.00 archive retrieval fee, plus any applicable copy fees. For retrievals involving multiple boxes, $39.00 for each additional box.
McVCIS allows callers to access limited information about a case (i.e., the debtor's name and address, the case number, the judge assigned, the date of filing, the chapter under which relief was sought, the identity and phone number of the debtor's attorney, the identity and phone number of the trustee appointed in the case, whether there are assets, and case status (such as awaiting creditor meeting, discharge date or closure). This service is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from any touch tone telephone by calling toll-free 1-866-222-8029.
PACER(Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is a service of the United States Judiciary. PACER allows attorneys and the public to access the court's electronic docket and electronic claims register via the internet. PACER information is updated once every business day from our Court's live database.
PACER charges are $.08 per page for access. Registration with PACER grants access privileges to all U.S. Court PACER systems nationwide. For more information on PACER, visit the PACER web site at http://www.pacer.gov/*.
NOTE: PACER fees will increase effective April 1, 2012 to $.10 per page.
6. How do I change my ECF password?
Log on to ECF. Click Utilities>Change Your Password.
7. What is the Filing Fee for?
Please see our Fee Schedule Page.
8. How do I get to the Clerk's Office/Courthouse?
Please see our Directions and Maps Page.
9. What documents are required to file bankruptcy?
Please see our Filing Information Page.
10. What are the Court/Federal Holidays?
Please see our Operational Hours & Holidays Page.
11. What is the attorney compensation for Chapter 13 cases?
Guidelines for compensation for services rendered and reimbursement in Ch 13 cases.
12. Where can I report suspected Bankruptcy fraud or Bankruptcy crimes?
Suspected bankruptcy fraud cases can be reported to the U. S. Department of Justice at the following link:
http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/fraud/index.htm*
*These links contain information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U. S. Bankruptcy Court does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information; nor does it control or guarantee the on-going availability, maintenance, or security of these Internet sites. Further, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance or to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.