How Long Does a Divorce Take in Arkansas? A Realistic Timeline
Brandon Haubert
Jan 8, 2026
Who this is for: Arkansas residents who are considering divorce and are worried about getting stuck in a legal process that drags on for years.
Goal: To give you a realistic timeline for both fast (uncontested) and slow (contested) divorces so you can plan your life accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Minimum Time: The absolute fastest a divorce can be finalized in Arkansas is 30 days after filing.
The "Uncontested" Shortcut: If you agree on everything, you can usually finish in 45–60 days.
The "Contested" Reality: If you fight over assets or kids, it often takes 6 months to 1 year.
Residency Rule: You must live in Arkansas for 60 days before you can even file.
The "18-Month" Myth: You generally do not have to wait 18 months to file, unless you are using "separation" as your specific legal reason.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Arkansas? A Realistic Timeline
One of the first questions I hear from people is, "How long is this going to take?"
It’s a fair question. You want to know when you can move on with your life. The honest answer is that it depends entirely on how much you and your spouse agree on.
In Arkansas, a divorce can be a sprint or a marathon. If you and your spouse agree on all terms (an uncontested divorce), you could be done in roughly 45 to 60 days. If you disagree on property, debts, or custody (a contested divorce), you could be looking at 6 to 12 months or longer.
Here is the realistic breakdown of how time works in an Arkansas divorce case.
The Two Timelines: "Express Lane" vs. "Scenic Route"
1. The Express Lane: Uncontested Divorce (45–60 Days)
This is the path most people want. To qualify for this timeline, you and your spouse must agree on everything before you file. This includes:
Who keeps the house and cars.
How debts (credit cards, loans) are split.
Child custody and visitation schedules.
Child support amounts.
In this scenario, you file your papers, wait the mandatory 30 days, and submit a final decree for the judge to sign. There is usually no trial, and often no hearing at all.
2. The Scenic Route: Contested Divorce (6–12+ Months)
If you disagree on anything—even just who gets the dog—it stops the clock. You enter the "contested" track. This process takes longer because the court has to step in to help you find facts ("discovery") and make decisions.
Discovery (3–6 months): You formally request bank records and documents from each other.
Mediation (1–3 months): Many Arkansas judges require you to try mediation before they will let you go to trial.
Waiting for a Court Date: Arkansas circuit courts are busy. Getting a trial date can take months of simply waiting for an opening on the judge's calendar.
The Mandatory Rules That Set the Pace
Arkansas law has three strict time rules you cannot skip.
1. The Residency Requirement (60 Days)
Before you can file a single paper, you or your spouse must have lived in Arkansas for at least 60 days.
Note: You must generally continue living here for at least 3 months total before the final decree is signed. (Ark. Code § 9-12-307)
2. The "Cooling Off" Period (30 Days)
Once you file your Complaint for Divorce, the clock starts. Arkansas Code § 9-12-310 prevents a judge from signing your divorce decree until 30 days have passed from the date of filing.
Myth Buster: Even if you sign the papers on Day 1, you cannot be divorced until Day 31.
3. The Grounds for Divorce
This is where people get confused. You need a legal reason ("ground") to divorce.
The "18-Month" Ground: One ground is living separately for 18 months. If you use this, you must already have been separated for 18 months before filing.
The "General Indignities" Ground: This is the most common ground in Arkansas. It covers things like rudeness, hate, abuse, or neglect that makes life "intolerable." If you use this ground, you do not have to wait 18 months to file. (Ark. Code § 9-12-301)
Step-by-Step Timeline of an Arkansas Divorce
If you are handling this yourself (uncontested), here is what your calendar will look like:
Step 1: Preparation (Days 1–7)
You gather your info. You need to know your debts, assets, and grounds. You fill out the Complaint for Divorce and the Summons.
Common Mistake: Listing the wrong separation date or forgetting to include a child's info.
Step 2: Filing (Day 0)
You take your paperwork to the Circuit Clerk’s office in your county (or e-file, if your county allows pro se e-filing). You pay the filing fee (usually around $165, but verify with your specific county).
The 30-Day Clock Starts NOW.
Step 3: Service (Days 1–7)
You must officially notify your spouse.
Fast Method: If your spouse is cooperative, they sign a Waiver of Service and Entry of Appearance. This saves you from hiring a process server and speeds things up.
Slow Method: If they won't sign, you must hire a process server or sheriff to hand them the papers.
Step 4: The Wait (Days 8–30)
You wait. During this time, you should prepare your Decree of Divorce. This is the final document the judge will sign. If you have a witness (required in Arkansas to prove residency), you can get their affidavit signed now too.
Step 5: Finalizing (Day 31+)
Once the 30 days are up:
In some counties, you can submit the Decree and Witness Affidavit to the judge without going to court.
In other counties, you must schedule a brief hearing to stand before the judge and answer "yes/no" questions.
Once the judge signs and the clerk files it, you are divorced.
What Causes Delays?
Even in a simple case, these issues can add weeks to your timeline:
Missing the "Witness" Requirement: Arkansas requires a third party (a friend, neighbor, or family member) to verify you have lived here for 60 days. If you forget this form, your divorce will be denied or delayed.
Bad Service: If you don't follow the strict rules for serving your spouse (e.g., you try to hand the papers to them yourself), the court won't recognize it.
Judge Availability: In smaller counties, the judge might only hear family cases on certain days of the month.
When You Should Talk to a Lawyer
While many people handle uncontested divorces themselves, you should speak to an attorney or legal aid if:
Safety is at risk: If there is domestic violence, get legal help immediately to protect yourself and your children.
You can't find your spouse: "Service by warning order" (publishing in a newspaper) is complicated to do alone.
There are retirement assets to split: Dividing a 401(k) or pension often requires a special order (QDRO) that is difficult to draft without legal knowledge.
Next Steps
If you and your spouse are ready to move forward and want to stick to the "Express Lane," proper paperwork is your best tool.
At ArkansasLegalNow, we help you generate the documents you need without the expensive hourly rates.
Simple: We guide you through the questions in plain English.
Arkansas-Specific: Our forms are designed for Arkansas Circuit Courts, not generic national templates.
Fast: Get your documents ready so you can start that 30-day clock sooner.
Get Started with your Arkansas divorce forms here.