How quickly can you get divorced in Arkansas?
Asked by: Icie Klein | Last update: April 14, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)
In Arkansas, the fastest divorce is an uncontested one, which can be finalized in about 45-60 days due to a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing, plus time for paperwork; however, complex or contested cases (with custody/asset disputes) can take several months to over a year, while amicable agreements might resolve in 2-3 months, always requiring at least 30 days.
How fast can you get a divorce in Arkansas?
Legally, a divorce is takes at least one month. The law requires that 30 days pass between the day of filing and the entry of the divorce decree. If everyone is agreeable, then a divorce can be completed, realistically, within about 45-60 days.
What is the easiest way to get a divorce in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, start by filing a Petition for Divorce in the county where you or your spouse live. For uncontested cases, both parties must agree on all terms, including child custody and support. You can often complete forms online through the state's court website. After filing, attend a final hearing if required.
Can you get divorced in 3 months?
A divorce or dissolution will take at least 6 months to complete, even if your circumstances are straightforward. It might take longer if you need to sort out issues with money, property or children.
What is the quickest divorce you can get?
The fastest divorce ever recorded involved a Kuwaiti couple in 2019, who divorced just three minutes after their courthouse wedding when the groom called the bride "stupid" for tripping, leading her to immediately demand an annulment from the judge. This instant dissolution set a record for the world's shortest marriage, highlighting how quickly respect (or lack thereof) can end a union.
What is the process for Divorce in Arkansas?
How much is a quickie divorce?
Quickie Divorce offer three separate packages with costs ranging from £37 to £167. A court fee of up to £550 is also payable when filing though many people can have this fee discounted whilst others will not need to pay it at all.
Does Arkansas require separation before divorce?
There is one no-fault ground for divorce in Arkansas: Separation - You and your spouse have lived separately for a continuous period of 18 months or more.
What is the 10 10 10 rule for divorce?
The "10/10 Rule" in military divorce determines if a former spouse receives direct payments from the military pension, requiring at least 10 years of marriage that overlap with 10 years of the service member's creditable military service. If this rule is met, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) sends the court-ordered portion directly to the ex-spouse; if not, the service member pays the ex-spouse directly, though the court can still award a share of the pension. This rule affects how payments are made, not the eligibility for pension division itself, which is decided by state law.
What is the cheapest way of getting divorced?
The cheapest way to get a divorce is through an uncontested divorce, where you and your spouse agree on all terms (custody, support, assets) and handle paperwork yourselves (DIY) or use low-cost online services, potentially with a mediator for agreement. If you have children or significant assets, hiring a mediator or getting an attorney for document review is often wise, and you can ask courts to waive fees if you're indigent.
What is the biggest mistake during a divorce?
The biggest mistake during a divorce often involves letting emotions drive decisions, leading to poor financial choices, using children as weapons, failing to plan for the future, or getting bogged down in petty fights that escalate costs and conflict, ultimately hurting all parties involved, especially the kids. Key errors include not getting legal/financial advice, fighting over small assets, exaggerating claims, and neglecting your own well-being.
What money can't be touched in a divorce?
Money that can't be touched in a divorce is typically separate property, including assets owned before marriage, inheritances, and gifts, but it must be kept separate from marital funds to avoid becoming divisible; commingling (mixing) these funds with joint accounts, or using inheritance to pay marital debt, can make them vulnerable to division. Prenuptial agreements or clear documentation are key to protecting these untouchable assets, as courts generally divide marital property acquired during the marriage.
What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Arkansas?
Arkansas law presumes that a couple's marital property will be split between them 50-50, but several factors may lead a judge to change to unequal distribution. First, though, the judge will determine what is marital and non-marital property. Non-marital property is kept by whoever brought it into the marriage.
Why is moving out the biggest mistake in a divorce?
Moving out during a divorce is often called a mistake because it can negatively impact child custody, create financial strain (paying two households), and weaken your legal position regarding the marital home, as courts often favor the "status quo" and the parent remaining in the home seems more stable. It can signal reduced parental involvement and make it harder to claim the house later, while leaving documents behind complicates the legal process and increases costs.
How to get a free divorce in Arkansas?
Apply for Legal Aid
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) provides funding to Legal Aid of Arkansas. To qualify for free legal help from a program funded by LSC, you must not have income and assets over a certain level. Our income eligibility guidelines are based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Can I remarry immediately after divorce?
Most states no longer have a waiting period before you can get married again after a divorce, but not so long ago divorced people would have to wait up to a year in some states before they could remarry.
Who loses more financially in a divorce?
Statistically, women generally lose more financially in a divorce, experiencing sharper drops in household income, higher poverty risk, and increased struggles with housing and childcare, often due to historical gender pay gaps and taking on more childcare roles; however, the financially dependent spouse (often the lower-earning partner) bears the biggest burden, regardless of gender, facing challenges rebuilding independence after career breaks, while men also see a significant drop in living standards, but usually recover better.
Can my wife get half my social security in a divorce?
Yes, an ex-wife can get up to half (50%) of her ex-husband's Social Security benefit if they were married for at least 10 years, she's unmarried and at least 62, and her own benefit is less than what she'd get from his record, with payments not affecting his or current spouse's benefits. She receives the higher of her own benefit or the spousal benefit, up to 50% of the ex's full retirement amount, and if he dies, she could get 100% (a survivor benefit).
What happens after 10 years of marriage and divorce?
The 10-year rule for Social Security benefits is a federal law that allows you to collect benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings record if: You were married for at least 10 years. You are unmarried after the divorce. You are at least 62 years old.
Why is it so hard to get a divorce in Arkansas?
Arkansas is a fault divorce state, so the plaintiff must prove there are reasons (grounds) for divorce. The most common grounds for divorce are general indignities and separation for 18 months.
Can you skip separation and go straight to divorce?
Spouses must have lived apart for at least 12 months (more about this below). If your spouse has committed adultery by having a sexual affair with another party, you can file for divorce without a separation period.
What not to do during separation and divorce?
Don't rush and make emotional decisions, turn down opportunities to spend time with your children, say bad things about your spouse, take on more debt, hide income and assets, get a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or say anything on social media about your situation.
Why would someone want a quick divorce?
A fast divorce feels like a clean break. Lengthy legal proceedings can be expensive. Couples sometimes believe that finalizing their divorce quickly will save them money on attorney fees and court costs. The logic is simple: less time, less cost.
What is a cheap divorce?
The cheapest divorce is an uncontested, do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce, costing only court filing fees (around $100-$450) plus minor expenses, ideal when you and your spouse agree on everything (assets, debt, kids). Using online services or mediation can add a few hundred dollars ($150-$800). If you need legal help or have disputes, costs rise significantly to thousands, so agreement is key for low-cost separation.
What's the cheapest way to do a divorce?
The cheapest way to get a divorce is through an uncontested divorce, where you and your spouse agree on all terms (custody, support, assets) and handle paperwork yourselves (DIY) or use low-cost online services, potentially with a mediator for agreement. If you have children or significant assets, hiring a mediator or getting an attorney for document review is often wise, and you can ask courts to waive fees if you're indigent.