Alimony and Spousal Support in Arkansas

When a decree is entered, the court makes an order on alimony, if applicable, that is reasonable given the parties' circumstances and the nature of the case. Unless the court orders or the parties agree otherwise, alimony automatically ends on the recipient's remarriage, full-time cohabitation in an intimate relationship, certain support-related events treated as remarriage, or the death of either party. For rehabilitative alimony, the court may require the recipient to provide a rehabilitation plan. Either party may ask the court to modify alimony on a significant and material change of circumstances.

Arkansas uses equitable distribution. Marital property is divided one-half to each spouse unless the court finds that unfair; if it divides unequally, it must state its reasons, considering factors such as the length of the marriage, age and health, income, employability, needs, and each spouse's contributions, including as a homemaker. Non-marital property is returned to the spouse who owned it unless the court finds another division equitable. Non-marital property includes property acquired before marriage or by gift or inheritance, property received in exchange for such property, its increase in value and income, property excluded by a valid agreement, and certain disability and personal-injury benefits.