Legal Separation and Annulment in Arkansas
Whether Arkansas offers legal separation, how it differs from divorce, and the grounds for an annulment.
Short answer: Yes. The circuit court can dissolve a marriage either fully or only from bed and board (a limited divorce, similar to legal separation), on the same grounds as divorce. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 9-12-301(b), 9-12-315(b)(3)
| Legal separation | Yes. The circuit court can dissolve a marriage either fully or only from bed and board (a limited divorce, similar to legal separation), on the same grounds as divorce. Property a spouse acquires after a decree of divorce from bed and board is treated as non-marital property. Read on a public code mirror (FindLaw, current as of March 28, 2024). |
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| Annulment | A marriage can be declared void by a court when either spouse could not consent because of age or lack of understanding, was physically incapable of entering marriage, or when either spouse's consent was obtained by force or fraud. The marriage is void from the time a court declares it so. Read on a public code mirror (FindLaw, current as of March 28, 2024). Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-201 |
Where to get help in Arkansas
More Arkansas divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Arkansas
- Adopting a Child in Arkansas
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Arkansas
- Establishing Paternity in Arkansas
- Changing Your Name in Arkansas
- Child Custody Laws in Arkansas
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Arkansas
- Divorce Records in Arkansas
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Arkansas
- How to File for Divorce in Arkansas
- All Arkansas divorce & family law rules
FAQ
Can you get a legal separation in Arkansas?
Yes. The circuit court can dissolve a marriage either fully or only from bed and board (a limited divorce, similar to legal separation), on the same grounds as divorce. Property a spouse acquires after a decree of divorce from bed and board is treated as non-marital property.
What are the grounds for annulment in Arkansas?
A marriage can be declared void by a court when either spouse could not consent because of age or lack of understanding, was physically incapable of entering marriage, or when either spouse's consent was obtained by force or fraud. The marriage is void from the time a court declares it so.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.