Arkansas' Residency Requirements

The petitioner must have been an Arkansas resident for 60 days or more before filing for divorce.

Arkansas' Grounds for Divorce

Arkansas residents may file for divorce under fault or no-fault grounds.

Arkansas' no-fault grounds is:

• voluntarily living without cohabitation for 18 months

Arkansas' fault grounds include:

• adultery
• cruel and inhuman treatment, which results in endangering the spouse's life
• incurable insanity resulting in institutionalization for 3 years or more
• personal indignities

Arkansas' Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement. If the parents cannot reach a decision, an Arkansas court will make a ruling.

Arkansas courts consider factors such as:

• the wishes of the child, if of sufficient age and mental capacity
• whether the custodial parent would allow the noncustodial parent and the child to maintain a meaningful relationship
• any evidence or history of abuse

Arkansas' Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Arkansas courts consider factors such as:

• each parent's financial situation
• the standard of living experienced by the child during the marriage
• cost of health insurance and childcare

Arkansas' Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Arkansas courts will consider factors such as:

• the nature of the case
• each spouse's circumstances

Arkansas' Property Division Guidelines

Arkansas has adopted equitable distribution guidelines, which means all property (including gifts and inheritances) will be divided as fairly and equally as possible. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Arkansas courts will consider factors such as:

• each spouse's contribution to the property, including acquisition and upkeep of property
• each spouse's financial circumstances
• each spouse's employability
• duration of the marriage

Arkansas' Venue Guidelines

The petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Arkansas county of residence, or in the respondent's Arkansas county of residence.