The short answer
If your divorce is simple, the free options may be all you need. Legal Aid of Arkansas offers a free divorce packet for uncontested cases with no minor children, and the Arkansas Judiciary posts free blank court forms. ArkansasLegalNow is for the cases the free packet doesn’t cover, or for people who want the forms filled in and the steps explained as they go.
Searching “free Arkansas divorce forms” turns up scanned PDFs, forum threads and national sites that don’t know Arkansas. Here are the three real options, side by side, and who each one fits. We’d rather you pick the right one than the one we sell.
The three options side by side
| Legal Aid packet | Court forms (arcourts.gov) | ArkansasLegalNow | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | $49 to $99 per document. Free to start; you pay when your document is complete. |
| How it works | An interactive packet you fill out | Blank forms you choose and fill out yourself | You answer plain-English questions and we generate the forms |
| Minor children | Not covered | Forms available; you pick the right ones | Parenting plan and child support worksheet included |
| Contested case | Built for uncontested cases | Forms available | Forms for contested cases too, though a complicated one will likely need a lawyer |
| Spouse in the military | Not covered | Forms available; special rules apply | Ask us before you start |
| Filing instructions | Filing instructions only, no other steps | Form instructions only | A packet that tells you how to sign, notarize and file, with every step outlined, including service |
Legal Aid’s free packet
Legal Aid of Arkansas runs the most trusted free option. It’s built for the simplest cases. The packet generally fits if all of these are true:
- You and your spouse have no minor children together
- You don’t have significant property to divide
- You’ve lived in Arkansas at least 60 days
- Your spouse isn’t in the military
If that’s you, use it. The packet is free, it comes from an organization that does this for a living, and nothing we offer is going to beat free for a case this simple. Find it at arlawhelp.org.
Free court forms
The Arkansas Judiciary posts blank forms at arcourts.gov. These are the official versions. They work if you’re comfortable reading instructions, figuring out which forms your case needs, and filling them in yourself. The catch is that the forms themselves don’t tell you which ones to use or in what order, and county clerks can have their own expectations. Our forms hub lists every form and what it does.
ArkansasLegalNow
You answer questions in plain English. We generate the forms from your answers and give you instructions for signing, notarizing and filing. It’s free to start, and you pay $49 to $99 per document when yours is complete.
We fit best when the free packet doesn’t: you have children, you disagree with your spouse on something, there’s property to divide, or you’d rather not work out which forms apply on your own. See the full filing guide for the whole process and the cost guide for what you’ll pay in total.
We’re not a law firm and we don’t give legal advice. We generate paperwork and explain the process.
Which one should you use?
- No children, you agree on everything, simple property: Start with Legal Aid’s free packet.
- You like working from official forms and have time to learn them: The court forms from arcourts.gov.
- You have children, or a disagreement, or want the forms filled in for you: ArkansasLegalNow.
- Safety issues, a business, retirement accounts or a hard-to-find spouse: Talk to an attorney or Legal Aid first. See below.
Common questions
Where can I get free Arkansas divorce forms?
From the Arkansas Judiciary (arcourts.gov) and from Legal Aid of Arkansas (arlawhelp.org).
Is the Legal Aid divorce packet really free?
Yes, as far as we know. You still pay the court’s filing fee, which is about $165.
Can I use the free packet if I have kids?
Legal Aid’s packet is for cases without minor children. With children you need a parenting plan and a child support worksheet, which the court forms and ArkansasLegalNow cover.
Do I still pay court fees with a free packet?
Yes. Free forms don’t change the Circuit Clerk’s filing fee. If your income is very low, you can ask the court to waive it.
Is ArkansasLegalNow a law firm?
No. We generate documents and explain the process. We don’t give legal advice or represent anyone.
When you need a lawyer
Skip all three and talk to an attorney, or call Legal Aid if money is tight, if:
- Safety is an issue. If there’s a history of domestic violence, don’t negotiate directly with your spouse.
- You have a business, significant property or a retirement account to divide. A QDRO is a special court order for splitting a retirement account.
- Your spouse is on active military duty or you can’t find them.
Sources
- Legal Aid of Arkansas
- Arkansas Judiciary
- Your county Circuit Clerk’s official website