Divorce results in long-lasting consequences for spouses and any children they share. The end of a marriage has practical and financial implications, as well as the obvious emotional consequences of a drastic change to the family unit.
Every state has unique rules that apply during divorce proceedings, and Arkansas has some unique rules that are not in effect in every jurisdiction. For those pursuing a divorce in Arkansas, it is necessary to complete a cooling-off period before the divorce is eligible for finalization in the courts.
Understanding the timeline for the divorce process can help people plan during what can be a very unpredictable and stressful time.
How long must couples wait?
Some people will file for divorce while emotions are high, and they may later be able to work through some of their issues with their spouses. To prevent people from making decisions in the heat of the moment that affect their families indefinitely, the Arkansas family courts impose a 30-day cooling-off period between when someone submits their initial paperwork requesting a divorce and when the courts move forward with the divorce process.
Those 30 days allow spouses an opportunity to reflect and communicate with one another. Once they have passed, spouses can attend hearings and move forward with the dissolution process.
Depending on whether spouses are in agreement about important details regarding the divorce, couples may still have a lengthy road ahead after the cooling-off period ends. For those pursuing an uncontested divorce, the cooling-off period may be the only significant bottleneck that slows down the divorce process.
Understanding the Arkansas divorce process can help people prepare for the legal challenges ahead. Spouses who understand the timeline can control their frustration regarding the built-in delays in the process.