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Start your divorce online in Arkansas

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Our platform streamlines the divorce process, guiding you to a desired outcome with minimal stress.

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Why Choose Divorce.com?

Benefits of an online divorce

Divorce.com is a convenient way to obtain the court papers for an uncontested divorce in Arkansas. It’s also a middle ground between hiring an attorney for drafting the paperwork and a DIY divorce. This service is cheaper than the first option and faster than the second.

Obtaining legal paperwork for a marriage dissolution with Divorce.com saves time and thousands of dollars that you would spend hiring expensive lawyers. Plus, it’s accessible from any device with an Internet connection. You only need to create an account and answer several questions about your divorce.

Benefits of an online divorce

So, here are several basic steps for getting the papers:

  • Pass a brief eligibility check consisting of a few questions.
  • Register and complete the online questionnaire.
  • Receive the documents in only two business days.
  • Download and print the papers prepared in a PDF format

Divorce.com is your quick and affordable paperwork solution!

Benefits of an online divorce

Arkansas Divorce Forms

Getting divorce forms is a complicated task, since not all of them are available online. For instance, you may find some documents at self-help centers, library resources, and local courts.

The basic forms required to start a divorce process in Arkansas are:

  • Complaint for Divorce and Verification
  • Summons
  • Entry of Appearance, Waiver of Service of Summons, and Waiver of Notice and Verification
  • Domestic Relations Cover Sheet
  • Affidavit of Consent
  • Marital Settlement Agreement
  • Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed in Forma Pauperis
  • Petition for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis
  • Affidavit of Service By Mail
  • Answer (for contested cases)
  • Notice of Hearing
  • Confidential Information Sheet
  • Ex Parte Order Of Protection (optional)
  • Final Order of Protection
  • Notice of Hearing on Petition for Order of Protection
  • Child Support Worksheet (required July 1, 2020)
  • In Re: Administrative Order No. 10 — Arkansas Child Support Guidelines
  • Notice of an Order to Withhold Income for Child Support
  • Decree Of Divorce

The package of papers depends on the spouses’ circumstances. For example, couples without minor children don’t need to submit the Child Support Worksheet and Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support.

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Steps to Consider

Filing for Divorce in Arkansas

Residency Requirements

The residency requirements refer to the time a person must live in Arkansas to give the state courts jurisdiction over the divorce case.

If the spouses file for divorce from the non-covenant marriage, at least one spouse must have lived in Arkansas for 60 days before starting the case and for three months before getting a divorce decree. It’s usually not difficult to achieve since a typical divorce lasts for a few months.

Grounds for Divorce

The grounds for divorce differ for covenant and non-covenant marriages. Covenant (or regular) ones are dissolved on one no-fault reason and eight fault-based-ones:

  • separation for 18 months
  • impotence
  • cruel treatment
  • conviction of a felony
  • insanity (with confinement to a mental health institution for three years)
  • drunkenness (occurring for one year after the wedding)
  • adultery
  • lack of support
  • humiliation

Non-covenant marriages have slightly different grounds: adultery, felony conviction, abuse, and separation for two years.

Initial Filing

The filing begins when a plaintiff collects and gives completed divorce forms to the court clerk. The circuit court clerk stamps the date and case number on the papers.

The filing party must file the original and two copies of the Complaint and other required forms with the circuit court. The plaintiff should choose the court in the county where they live. If the filing spouse doesn’t live in Arkansas, the papers should be filed in the county where the other party lives.

Filing Fees

Each person filing divorce papers must pay several court fees. One is a $165 initial filing fee (the sum may vary in different counties). Others include the sheriff’s services for delivering the papers to the other party, photocopying, etc.

A person who cannot afford the payment may request a fee waiver. To get it, they must file an Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed in Forma Pauperis and a Petition for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis.

Serving the Respondent

The plaintiff must inform the other non-filing party (a defendant) about the divorce proceedings. Typically, a circuit court clerk will issue a Summons form. After that, the plaintiff must deliver a copy of the summons and the Complaint to the defendant. This process is called “service.”

The service is performed in one of the following ways:

  • the defendant agrees to waive the service and signs the Entry of Appearance Form
  • service by mail
  • by a sheriff or private process server
Waiting Period

As a rule, no couple will obtain a divorce decree before 30 days have passed from filing the divorce papers. During this period, a defendant may file their Answer, or the spouses can negotiate their divorce terms. They can use mediation or do it themselves.

Also, the couples may change their minds about divorcing and call it off during these 30 days. Parents of minor childten also typically use this time to attend parenting classes.

Finalizing a Divorce Case

A plaintiff must ask the court clerk to issue a Notice of Hearing. This way, the case will be scheduled for a specific date. The judge will review the paperwork during the hearing, including the settlement agreement. If everything is in order, they will issue a final judgment.

After the judge signs the decree, the plaintiff must make two copies and file them with the original order with the circuit clerk. They must also send a copy of the final order to the defendant.

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How to Fill Out Divorce Forms in Arkansas

After getting the blank forms, the petitioner must fill them out with the required information and requested divorce terms.

The steps to complete the papers correctly are:

  • Read all the questions carefully and see if any instructions in the forms might help you choose the relevant answer.
  • Look up all the unfamiliar terms and concepts in the dictionary or Arkansas Code.
  • Collect information such as the city and county where each spouse lives, property and financial information, etc.
  • If your divorce is amicable, ensure your husband or wife agrees to the terms you will add to the papers.
  • Fill out the blanks with ink or type them in using electronic forms.
  • Print and sign the completed forms.

Remember to check whether some forms require notarization. In this case, you must sign them before a notary public.

If you want to finish filling out the paperwork quickly and stress-free, Divorce.com can help you. This service automatically generates all the papers for your uncontested divorce as fast as two business days.

Divorce.com has a vast database of divorce forms for every situation. Plus, all documentation is constantly updated to comply with the state laws and local court rules. With Divorce.com, your divorce preparation will be swift and affordable.

Child custody

Getting a Divorce with Children on Divorce.com

Child Custody

Couples with children may decide the child custody issues without the court’s involvement and conclude a mutual parenting plan. Arkansas family law has several types of child custody.

  • Sole legal custody (a custodial parent solely makes important decisions about the child’s health, education, etc.)
  • Joint legal custody (both parents make collective decisions about the child’s upbringing)
  • Sole physical custody (the child’s residence is with the custodial parent)
  • Joint physical custody (the child has frequent contact with both parents and may live with each of them in turns)
Child custody

The Arkansas judges usually award joint custody to ensure that the child has frequent contact with both parents. However, it’s only possible if there is no history of domestic violence and no threat to the child’s safety. Most of the time, the court won’t place the child in the abusive parent’s custody.

The judge may require that the spouses with minor children attend parenting classes before issuing court orders. Additionally, they must complete at least two hours of parental education and present a certificate as proof.

The spouses may also choose a divorce mediator to help them resolve their disputes concerning children and other issues. If they can’t agree, the judge will decide for them during the court hearing.

Uncontested Divorce in Arkansas

An uncontested divorce is a more practical and cheaper way to end a marriage than traditional litigation. Couples with this type of divorce usually resolve all their disputes concerning property division, child custody, and alimony before going to the courthouse.

Uncontested cases are also less stressful because the spouses don’t need to go through countless court hearings. When both parties agree to the terms, one thing left to resolve is gathering and completing all the papers correctly.

A settlement agreement is one of the necessary forms of divorce. It must contain the negotiated terms and comply with the state laws. The couple can hire a divorce mediator or discuss the following issues themselves:

  • division of assets, debts, real estate, vehicles, etc.
  • custody and visitation
  • spousal support

If you want to lower your divorce expenses but don’t want to waste time on DIY divorce paperwork, Divorce.com can do this job for you. This service will generate and complete all court forms to file your case in Arkansas family court in just two business days.

Child Support

Unlike most states, Arkansas uses the Varying Percentage of Income Model when determining child support obligations. There are also Family Support Charts (weekly, monthly, and semi-weekly) to help the spouses and the court to choose the right amount.

The Charts use the paying parent’s income and the number of children. For instance, if the monthly net income is $500, one child should receive $127, two children will get $186, etc.

Child custody

Support should cover food, clothing, medical and dental expenses, transportation, etc. Additionally, one of the parents must provide health insurance at a reasonable cost.

Usually, support ends when each dependent child reaches the age of majority - 18 years old in Arkansas. However, the court may order to continue the payment if the child hasn’t yet graduated from high school or is disabled.

Child Support

FAQ

How long will it take to get divorced in Arkansas?

The minimum time the spouses will spend finalizing an uncontested divorce is 30-60 days. As for contested cases, they may take more time - typically from 6 to 12 months.

Can I get a free divorce in Arkansas?

Arkansas law provides a path to request a fee waiver if the petitioner can’t afford to cover the court fees. They must file an Affidavit and a Petition for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis.

How do I file for divorce in Arkansas?

The filing process includes completing and bringing to the court clerk the original and two copies of the Complaint for Divorce as well as a few other required forms.

How much does a divorce cost in Arkansas?

The cost depends on the type of divorce. Contested ones can cost several thousand dollars. So if you want to decrease the expenses, use Divorce.com to get the papers fast and affordably.

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