What Happens After Filing for Divorce in Arkansas

The Clock Starts on Two Deadlines

The moment the circuit clerk accepts your Complaint for Divorce, two timers begin running simultaneously:

120-day service deadline. Under Rule 4(i) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, you must serve your spouse within 120 days of filing. If you miss this deadline without a court-ordered extension, the court must dismiss your case. Getting your spouse served — or getting their signed Waiver of Service filed — is your first priority.

30-day waiting period. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-307(a)(1)(B), no divorce decree can be entered until at least 30 days after the filing date. This period runs automatically regardless of how quickly everything else moves. It can't be shortened or waived.

Serve Your Spouse (or Get the Waiver)

In a cooperative case, the fastest move is having your spouse sign an Entry of Appearance and Waiver of Service on the same day you file. They acknowledge the Complaint, enter their appearance, and waive formal service — all in one notarized document. Filed immediately, it satisfies Rule 4 and lets the case move forward without delay.

If your spouse isn't cooperative or lives far away, you'll use certified mail, a county sheriff, or a private process server. Each method requires proof of service to be filed with the clerk.

If your spouse can't be found, you'll need to pursue service by publication through a Warning Order — a longer process that adds 30+ days.

Exchange Financial Disclosures

Administrative Order No. 10 requires both spouses to prepare and exchange Affidavits of Financial Means. This is mandatory in every Arkansas divorce — even fully agreed uncontested cases.

The affidavit requires you to disclose:

• All sources of income (employment, investments, benefits)
• Monthly living expenses
• Assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts)
• Outstanding debts (mortgages, credit cards, loans, judgments)

You must attach supporting documentation: recent tax returns, pay stubs, and account statements. Exchange these with your spouse as soon as possible after filing — the court needs them before finalization, and delays in disclosure are one of the most common causes of stalled cases.

Complete Parenting Classes (If Children Are Involved)

If minor children are involved, both parents must complete a minimum of two hours of court-approved co-parenting classes under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-322. You must file the completion certificates with the circuit clerk before finalization.

These classes cover topics like the impact of divorce on children, effective co-parenting communication, and how to keep children out of parental conflict. They're offered by various approved providers across the state, including online options.

Don't wait until the last minute — some in-person classes have limited scheduling, and the certificates must be on file before the judge will sign the decree.

Negotiate and Sign the Marital Settlement Agreement

For uncontested cases, you and your spouse draft and execute a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) covering every issue:

• Property division (who gets which assets)
• Debt allocation (who pays which debts)
• Child custody and visitation schedule
• Child support (calculated under the AO10 guidelines)
• Spousal support (amount, duration, and type — if applicable)
• Name restoration (if either spouse wants their former name back)

Both spouses sign the MSA. In most counties, the signatures need to be notarized. This document becomes part of the final decree and is enforceable as a court order once the judge signs.

Submit the Finalization Packet

Once the 30-day waiting period has passed and the three-month residency requirement is satisfied, you submit the final paperwork:

• Proposed Decree of Divorce
• Executed Marital Settlement Agreement
• Notarized Resident Witness Affidavit
• AOC Disposition Sheet
• Parenting class certificates (if applicable)

In counties that allow finalization by affidavit, you also include your notarized Uncontested Client Affidavit and the judge reviews everything in chambers. In counties requiring a hearing, you schedule a brief prove-up where you and your witness testify.

Once the judge signs the decree and the clerk files it, your divorce is final.

The Arkansas Divorce Filing Process Guide organizes every post-filing step into a clear timeline with document checklists for each stage.

See more Arkansas guides →