Spousal Support in Arkansas
State-specific overview · Family Law
Arkansas courts award alimony based on need and ability to pay, with no statutory formula or fixed durational guidelines.
How Arkansas treats Spousal Support
Arkansas law permits courts to award alimony (spousal support) when one spouse lacks sufficient property or income to be self-supporting and the other spouse has the ability to pay. The court considers factors including the length of marriage, standard of living, age, health, earning capacity, and contributions to the marriage. Arkansas does not prescribe a specific formula or presumed duration; awards are discretionary and depend on individual circumstances. Alimony generally terminates upon the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, or upon the death of either party.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Arkansas.