{"id":371660,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-divorce-the-basics.html"},"modified":"2025-02-19T17:55:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T22:55:23","slug":"arkansas-divorce-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-divorce-the-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Divorce: The Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Arkansas Divorce: The Basics<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Nobody gets married thinking they’ll end up divorced<\/a>. Sadly, the divorce rate in this country seems to increase with each passing year. You should become familiar with your state’s divorce laws if you’re considering divorce.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will discuss the divorce laws in Arkansas. We will also explain the Arkansas divorce<\/a> process. We’ll describe how these laws affect alimony, child custody, and property division. Finally, we’ll highlight some practical tips you should know before filing your complaint for divorce.<\/p>\r\n

What Are the Effects of a Divorce?<\/h2>\r\n

The legal effect of divorce<\/a> is to end the marital contract between the spouses. Marriage is a legal contract. If one of the parties to that contract wants out, they must follow the proper procedures.<\/p>\r\n

Once the judge issues your decree of divorce<\/a>, you are no longer married. The contract between you and your spouse will end, and you’ll be free to enter into a new contract with anyone of your choosing.<\/p>\r\n

As with any other relationship, you must tie up any loose ends when you end your marriage. You do this via a marital settlement agreement<\/a>. This agreement will cover the legal issues surrounding your divorce.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the issues your marital settlement agreement will address include:<\/p>\r\n