What are the residency requirements for divorce in Arizona?

At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. If children are involved, they generally must have lived in Arizona for six months for the court to decide custody.

How long is the waiting period in Arizona?

There is a 60-day cooling-off period after service or acceptance of service before a judge can sign the final decree.

How do I file for divorce in Arizona?

File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in your county’s Superior Court, legally serve your spouse, handle any temporary orders if needed, resolve by consent decree or proceed to trial, and obtain a signed Decree of Dissolution.

How much does divorce cost in Arizona?

County filing fees are typically in the low hundreds (often around $250–$350). Additional costs may include service of process, mediation or parenting classes, and any attorney or professional fees. Fee waivers may be available.

How are property, assets, and debts divided in Arizona?

Arizona generally follows community-property rules. Most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are shared equally, while separate property such as premarital assets and certain gifts or inheritances usually remains separate.

Is Arizona a no-fault divorce state?

Yes. Most divorces proceed on the no-fault basis that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Different rules apply only to covenant marriages.

What should I know about spousal maintenance (alimony) in Arizona?

Arizona calls alimony “spousal maintenance.” There is no official formula. Courts consider factors such as marriage length, standard of living, each spouse’s resources and earning ability, and contributions to the marriage.

How do child custody and child support work in Arizona?

Arizona uses terms like legal decision-making and parenting time. Child support is calculated under statewide guidelines using both parents’ incomes and certain expenses; an online calculator is available from the courts.

Can I file for divorce online in Arizona?

Some counties provide online forms and limited e-filing. Check the Arizona Judicial Branch website for county-specific tools.

How do military divorces work in Arizona?

Service members or spouses stationed in Arizona can generally file in Arizona. Federal protections like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act can affect timing if one party is on active duty.

What should I handle after the divorce is final?

Common post-decree tasks include requesting a name change, updating tax filing status, seeking modifications if circumstances change, and reviewing estate planning items like wills and beneficiaries.

Everything to Know About Divorce in Arkansas

by Katie Reseburg

Last Updated: Apr 9, 2025 1:44:15 PM

Divorce Process, Divorce Law, Divorce in Arkansas

Prerequisites
How to file for divorce
Cost of divorce & filing fees
Property, assets & debt division
Spousal support (alimony)
Child support & custody
Military divorce
Legal separation and annulment
E-filing
After divorce
Legal help and divorce resources

Thinking about divorce in Arkansas? Whether you're in the early stages of considering it or already deep into paperwork, here's a breakdown of what you actually need to know—without the fluff.

Prerequisites for divorce in Arkansas

Residency

You or your spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days before filing.

Waiting period

There is a minimum 30-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized—even if uncontested.

Separation requirement

Arkansas requires at least 18 months of continuous separation for a no-fault divorce, unless you’re filing on fault-based grounds.

Grounds for divorce

Arkansas allows two options:

No-fault divorce: Requires spouses to have lived separately for 18 months without cohabitation

Fault-based divorce includes:

Adultery
Habitual drunkenness
Cruelty or abuse
Felony conviction

Read more in-depth about the grounds for Arkansas divorce here

How to file for divorce in Arkansas

File a Complaint for Divorce in the circuit court for the county where either spouse lives.
Serve the other spouse using a sheriff, process server, or certified mail.
Response time: Your spouse has 30 days to file an answer.
Temporary orders (if needed): You can request temporary custody, support, or financial arrangements.
Final hearing: Even if uncontested, at least one spouse must appear in court and provide testimony.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Arkansas?

Filing fees vary by county but usually range between $165–$200. Extra costs may include:

Service of papers
Parenting classes (if you have children)
Legal representation

Can’t afford the fee? You can apply for a fee waiver using a financial affidavit—click the link here to access it or ask your court clerk.

Read more in-depth about the cost of Arkansas divorce here

Property and debt division in Arkansas

Arkansas follows equitable distribution rules. Marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily equally.

Key considerations:

Length of the marriage
Contributions to the household (income or otherwise)
Earning ability of each spouse
Custody arrangements

Separate property—gifts, inheritance, or assets owned before marriage—is usually not divided unless it became mixed with joint assets.

Alimony (spousal support) in Arkansas

Spousal support is not automatic and is awarded case-by-case. Courts consider:

Marriage duration
Financial need vs. ability to pay
Standard of living
Health and earning capacity

Types of alimony include:

Temporary: While divorce is pending
Rehabilitative: Until the recipient becomes self-supporting
Permanent: Rare and usually only in long-term marriages

There is no formula—the judge decides based on fairness.

Read our in-depth take on Arkansas spousal support here

Child custody and support in Arkansas

Custody

Arkansas courts favor joint custody, unless it's not in the child’s best interest. Decisions are based on:

Parental involvement
Safety and stability of the home
History of domestic violence
Child’s preferences (in some cases)

Child support

Child support is based on both parents’ income using state guidelines. Use the Arkansas child support estimator to calculate expected payments.

Military divorce in Arkansas

Military members or their spouses can file in Arkansas if one party resides or is stationed in the state. Federal laws, like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, may delay proceedings during deployment.

Legal separation and annulment

Legal separation: Available and handled similarly to divorce, but the couple remains legally married.
Annulment: Allowed for limited reasons like fraud, bigamy, lack of consent, or underage marriage.

Can you file for divorce online in Arkansas?

Yes, Arkansas allows e-filing in many counties through AOC eFiling. However, some steps—like court appearances—may still require in-person visits.

After divorce: what comes next

Post-divorce reminders:

Request a name change during the final hearing
Update your tax filing status and financial records
Modify custody/support later if needed
Review and revise wills, insurance, and beneficiaries

Legal Help and Resources

If you’re divorcing in the state of Arkansas, Hello Divorce can help. Schedule a free call now to ask questions and determine your next step.

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Summary

Everything to Know About Divorce in Arkansas