Divorce in Arkansas

How to file for divorce in Arkansas

1. Check residency. 60 days in Arkansas before filing; 3 full months of residency needed before the final decree.
2. Check any separation requirement. 18 continuous months of living apart is one no-fault ground; fault grounds skip this requirement.
3. Prepare and file the Complaint for Divorce with the Circuit Court in your county. The filing fee is typically $165 to $185, and you can ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
4. Serve your spouse, or have them sign an acceptance of service, and file proof of service.
5. Exchange financial disclosures. Both spouses must complete an Affidavit of Financial Means, a sworn statement of income, expenses, assets, and debts, with supporting documents attached.
6. Settle the issues in a written agreement, and a parenting plan if you have children.
7. Wait out the waiting period. 30 days from filing before a judge can sign the final decree. Then ask the court for your final judgment.

Residency and grounds

Residency: 60 days in Arkansas before filing; 3 full months of residency needed before the final decree.

Grounds: No-fault and fault. Most people still file on no-fault grounds, which is simpler and usually cheaper.

Separation: 18 continuous months of living apart is one no-fault ground; fault grounds skip this requirement.

How property is divided

Arkansas uses equitable distribution. Marital property and debts are divided fairly, which often lands near equal but not always. Courts weigh things like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and contributions as a homemaker. Read how property is divided.

Custody and child support

Parenting terms: Arkansas uses the terms legal custody and physical custody. Every decision is made in the child's best interests.

Parenting class: By county or judge's discretion; a co-parenting class (about $50 per parent) is often ordered when minor children are involved.

Child support: Arkansas uses the income shares model, which combines both parents' incomes, estimates what parents at that income usually spend on children, and divides that amount by each parent's share of income. Try the child support calculator.

Spousal support

Alimony is entirely discretionary with no formula or automatic entitlement, and can be temporary, rehabilitative, or permanent.

Estimate a range with the spousal support calculator, then have a lawyer check it if the numbers are large.

Faster and simpler options

Arkansas does not have a separate simplified procedure, but an uncontested divorce with a signed agreement is fast and inexpensive.

Legal separation: available in Arkansas, for couples who want support and parenting orders without ending the marriage.

How long it takes

The minimum is set by the waiting period: 30 days from filing before a judge can sign the final decree. A typical timeline is 2 to 4 months uncontested; 12 to 24 months or more contested. Agreement is what moves the date most; contested cases add months of disclosures, discovery and hearings.

Worth knowing in Arkansas

• Filing costs $165 on paper or $185 through the state's eFlex electronic filing system.
• Arkansas moved to an Income Shares child support model under Administrative Order No. 10.
• Joint custody is presumed to be in a child's best interest when both parents are fit.

Official resources

Official forms and instructions come from Arkansas's courts. Sources we reviewed:

• arcourts.gov

Last reviewed September 2026. Laws and fees change; confirm with your court before you file.