Detailed answer — what paperwork to show and why it matters

When co-owners seek partition of real property, the court not only divides the property or orders sale, it also resolves equitable claims between owners. If one owner paid for repairs, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, or other house-related expenses, the paying owner can seek credit or reimbursement. To obtain that credit in an Arkansas partition case you must present reliable, organized proof showing:

• that the expense was paid;
• that the expense related to the property; and
• who paid and when.

Key categories of paperwork courts accept as proof:

• Receipts and invoices from contractors, suppliers, or stores listing the work or materials and the property address.
• Cancelled checks or front/back copies showing payment to a vendor or for an expense related to the property.
• Bank statements showing outlays tied to specific checks, debit card transactions, or electronic transfers. Highlight the relevant lines and include a reconciliation to receipts where possible.
• Credit card statements along with corresponding receipts or merchant invoices to show purpose of each charge.
• Contracts and change orders for contractor work, signed estimates, and work completion certificates.
• Tax and insurance bills and proof of payment (bank records or insurance company receipts).
• Photographs and progress documentation (date-stamped photos before/during/after repairs) to show necessity and scope of work.
• Emails, texts, or written communications with contractors that show scope, price agreements, and acceptance of work.
• Rented-equipment receipts, material delivery tickets, and municipal permits that tie the expense to property improvements or repairs.
• Accounting spreadsheets and ledgers you prepare that reconcile receipts to bank/credit card statements — best when accompanied by original source documents.

Example (hypothetical): If you paid $3,200 to replace a roof, submit the contractor’s signed contract, final invoice, cancelled check or bank transfer evidence for $3,200, photos of the completed roof, and any building permit. Reconcile the contractor invoice to the bank statement entry so the court can see the payment source and that the work was done.

How Arkansas courts treat these proofs

Court judges evaluate both legal and equitable factors. A typical outcome is that the court will:

• credit a paying co-owner for necessary and reasonable expenses (repairs to preserve value, taxes, mortgage, insurance);
• be cautious about awarding reimbursement for purely cosmetic improvements unless they increased the property’s market value;
• require stronger proof for large claims — clear invoices, proof of payment, and evidence that the work benefited the property.

Partition is a remedy in equity in Arkansas courts. The court’s power to account and allow credits flows from equitable principles and the partition statutes and procedures under state law and court rules. For information about filing and discovery in Arkansas civil courts, see the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure: Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Authentication and admissibility

To admit receipts, statements, and records into evidence, you must authenticate them. Common methods include:

• testimony from the person who prepared or received the document (for example, the payer or the contractor);
• a business-records affidavit or custodian declaration (many courts accept business records under the hearsay exception — see Arkansas Rules of Evidence);
• producing originals where available; if originals are unavailable, explain why and provide certified copies or secondary evidence.

See the Arkansas Rules of Evidence for rules on hearsay and business records: Arkansas Rules of Evidence.

How to assemble and present your paperwork — step-by-step

1. Create a master index. Make a numbered exhibit list (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, etc.) and a one-page summary spreadsheet totaling each expense category (repairs, taxes, mortgage, insurance).
2. Group documents by expense. Put the invoice, proof of payment, and any before/after photos together for each line item.
3. Annotate bank/credit statements. Highlight relevant transactions and write the exhibit number in the margin so the judge can match a statement line to its receipt.
4. Keep originals secure. Provide copies to the court and the other parties; retain originals in case of challenge.
5. Obtain custodial affidavits when needed. Ask banks or vendors for a custodian declaration or a certified record when relying on business records instead of personal testimony.
6. Prepare witness testimony. Be ready to testify about why the expense was necessary, how you paid, and how it benefited the property.

If the other party refuses to produce records, you may use discovery tools or subpoenas under Arkansas civil procedure rules to obtain bank or vendor records from third parties. See the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure (discovery and subpoenas): Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Common issues and how to avoid them

• Incomplete records — avoid this by collecting receipts at the time of payment and keeping a running ledger.
• Unclear purpose — make sure receipts identify the property address or describe the work clearly.
• Commingled funds — if you used a personal account for multiple properties or personal spending, create a clear reconciliation that isolates property-related items.
• No vendor cooperation — if a contractor won’t provide a duplicate invoice, ask for payroll records, cancelled checks, a contractor affidavit, or contact information for witnesses who observed the work.
• Large improvements without appraisal — for significant value-add improvements, get a post-improvement appraisal or market analysis to show increased fair market value.

Helpful hints

• Start documenting immediately. Judges favor contemporaneous records over recollection produced after litigation begins.
• Use a clear exhibit numbering system and provide a table of contents for the court file.
• Get written contracts for any substantial work and require lien waivers from contractors when they finish.
• Consider getting a quick market appraisal if you claim large improvements increased value.
• If a bank or vendor requires a subpoena, use the civil procedure rules to issue one early in discovery.
• When in doubt, hire a local attorney experienced with partition/accounting claims. They can prepare admissible business-records affidavits and handle discovery needed to obtain bank records.