Bankruptcy Clinic

About the Clinic

The Bankruptcy Clinic currently focuses on helping people in the Northwest Arkansas area file for no-asset chapter 7 bankruptcies. Students work with clients from the initial intake through the discharge process, including handling all filings and appearing in court.

For Prospective Clients

The Bankruptcy Clinic takes clients from Benton, Washington, Crawford, Sebastian, Scott, Polk, Logan, Franklin, Johnson, Madison, Newton, Carroll, Boone, Marion, Searcy, and Baxter counties. To qualify, clients must be below 200% of the federal poverty line for Arkansas and be available to come to meetings at the University of Arkansas Law School Legal Clinic.

The Bankruptcy Clinic does new client intake primarily at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, in August and January. During intake, students will review your case to determine that it is a case we can handle, and review your financial situation to make sure you meet income requirement guidelines. Intake appointments are scheduled from the Bankruptcy Clinic waiting list. Those interested in getting services should call and ask to be added to the waiting list well in advance of the intake periods. Additional intakes may occur outside of these periods, if time and student availability allow, but are not guaranteed.

If selected, a student attorney, with faculty attorney supervision, will handle all aspects of the representation, including all legal filing and court appearances. There is no fee to be represented by the Bankruptcy Clinic. However, clients are responsible for all filing fees, court costs, and any other out of pocket expenses.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Clients.

For Prospective Students

The Bankruptcy Clinic gives students a chance to practice in the United States Bankruptcy Court system while helping clients in the Northwest Arkansas area. Students, under guidance of Professor Tarvin, handle all aspects of their client’s case, from intake meetings and deciding which cases to take on, through the first meeting of creditors and the discharge of debts. The Bankruptcy Clinic gives hands on experience in bankruptcy practice and in working with clients and is designed to provide students with a better understanding of filings and procedures in Federal Courts, as well as a working knowledge of the chapter 7 bankruptcy process. Students receive 4 hours of graded course credit for their work in the Bankruptcy Clinic.

Students must be eligible for licensing in under Rule XV, Arkansas Rules Governing Admission to the Bar, and have taken LAWW 6203 Trial Advocacy.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Clinic Students.

Other Resources

Credit Counseling of Arkansas. A non-profit debt and income management education service in Northwest Arkansas, CCOA can help you review your debt, discuss other possible solutions, and assist you with the classes required by the government in order to declare bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Basics. Provided by the United States Federal Bankruptcy courts, these videos provide information on the types of Bankruptcy, who may file, and what the process is.