Small Claims Complaint

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Arkansas requires the use of official court-provided complaint forms for small claims
cases filed in District Court. This template provides the substantive legal content to help you prepare —
but you must transfer your content to the official form before filing. The official form
is available at your local District Court clerk's office or at https://arcourts.gov/forms-and-publications/court-forms.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT

Arkansas District Court – Small Claims Division
[COUNTY NAME] County, Arkansas

Case No.: _______________________

____________________________________
COMPLAINT FOR MONEY DAMAGES
____________________________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Definitions
2. Jurisdiction & Venue
3. Statement of Facts
4. Cause(s) of Action
5. Damages Sought
6. Prayer for Relief
7. Verification
8. Certificate of Service
9. Notice Regarding Appeal Rights

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Complaint, the following terms have the meanings set forth below.

1.1 “Plaintiff” means each person or entity named above bringing this action.
1.2 “Defendant” means each person or entity against whom relief is sought.
1.3 “Claim” means the monetary demand asserted herein, exclusive of interest, costs, and any allowable statutory fees.
1.4 “Damages” means the dollar amount sought in Section 5, not to exceed the jurisdictional limit of the Small Claims Division under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-704 (2023).

2. JURISDICTION & VENUE

2.1 This action is filed in the Small Claims Division of the [COUNTY NAME] County District Court pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-704 (2023), which confers jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy does not exceed $5,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

2.2 The amount sought herein is $[AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000] and therefore falls within the statutory monetary limit.

2.3 Venue is proper because the Defendant [resides / does business / the events giving rise to the claim occurred] in [COUNTY NAME] County, Arkansas.

3. STATEMENT OF FACTS

3.1 On or about [DATE], Plaintiff and Defendant entered into the following transaction/interaction: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION; e.g., “a written agreement for the sale of goods,” “an oral agreement for home repair services,” “a motor-vehicle collision”].

3.2 Plaintiff performed all obligations required of Plaintiff under any relevant agreement and/or applicable law.

3.3 Defendant has failed to [pay the agreed price / perform the contracted services / otherwise comply], resulting in monetary loss to Plaintiff.

3.4 Despite Plaintiff’s demand(s) on [DATE(S)], Defendant has refused and continues to refuse to remit payment.

4. CAUSE(S) OF ACTION

Plaintiff asserts the following legal theories (select or modify as appropriate):

4.1 Breach of Contract
 a. A valid contract existed between the parties as set forth in ¶ 3.1.
 b. Plaintiff fully performed or was excused from performance.
 c. Defendant breached by failing to perform payment obligations.
 d. Plaintiff suffered Damages as a direct result.

4.2 Account Stated/Open Account
 a. Plaintiff rendered statements of account reflecting an agreed balance of $[AMOUNT].
 b. Defendant did not dispute the statements within a reasonable time.
 c. Defendant is thereby indebted to Plaintiff for said sum.

4.3 Negligence (Property Damage / Personal Injury)
 a. Defendant owed Plaintiff a duty of reasonable care.
 b. Defendant breached that duty by [describe negligent act].
 c. The breach proximately caused Plaintiff’s Damages.

5. DAMAGES SOUGHT

5.1 Principal Amount:  $[___]
5.2 Pre-Complaint Interest (if claim allows): $[___]
5.3 Court Costs (filing & service):   $[___]
5.4 TOTAL (not to exceed $5,000):   $[___]

6. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant as follows:

a. For money Damages in the amount set forth in Section 5;
b. For court costs as allowed by law;
c. For post-judgment interest at the statutory rate; and
d. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

7. VERIFICATION

I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], being first duly sworn, state under penalty of perjury that (i) I am the Plaintiff in this action, (ii) I have read the foregoing Complaint, and (iii) the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Date: ________________        ________________________________
                  [PLAINTIFF SIGNATURE]

Subscribed and sworn before me on ____ day of __________, 20____.
________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: _____________

8. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a true and correct copy of this Complaint was served upon the Defendant(s) by [personal service / certified mail, return receipt requested] at the address stated above on the ___ day of __________, 20____.

________________________________
[PLAINTIFF SIGNATURE]

9. NOTICE REGARDING APPEAL RIGHTS

Any party dissatisfied with the judgment of the Small Claims Division may appeal to the Circuit Court of [COUNTY NAME] County within thirty (30) days from the date of entry of judgment. The appeal shall be de novo and governed by Ark. Code Ann. § 16-17-705 (2023).

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE NOTES