Support in Arkansas (2026)

The Revised Arkansas Family Support Chart

Arkansas’s child support system is built around the Revised Arkansas Family Support Chart, which is established and periodically updated through Administrative Order No. 10 issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Unlike many states where the legislature sets the guidelines, Arkansas’s support framework is court-administered through administrative orders — meaning changes to the guidelines do not require legislative action and are periodically reviewed by a commission appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

The chart uses an income-shares model based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family remained intact. The chart maps combined parental net income to a total support obligation based on the number of children.

For a general overview of how income-shares models work, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

How the Calculation Works

The calculation begins with each parent’s gross income, which includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, pensions, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, disability payments, rental income, dividends, interest, and other sources of income. The court may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

From each parent’s gross income, certain allowable deductions are subtracted to arrive at net income. The parents’ net incomes are combined, and the Family Support Chart identifies the total child support obligation based on the combined net income and the number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined net income. Work-related child care costs and health insurance premiums for the child are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally.

Deviations from the Guidelines

The guidelines create a rebuttable presumption that the calculated amount is correct. However, the court may deviate from the guidelines under Administrative Order No. 10 if strict application would be unjust or inequitable. Grounds for deviation include:

• Extraordinary medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
• The child’s independent financial resources
• Extraordinary costs associated with visitation or custody exchanges
• Special needs of the child, including physical, emotional, or educational needs
• The financial resources of both parents
• The needs of other dependents of either parent
• Shared or split custody arrangements

Any deviation must be supported by written findings explaining why the guidelines amount is unjust or inappropriate in the specific case.

Duration of Child Support

Child support in Arkansas generally continues until the child turns 18, or through age 19 if the child is still attending high school. Support also terminates upon the child’s emancipation, marriage, or death. Arkansas does not generally require parents to contribute to college or post-secondary education expenses, though parents may agree to such provisions in a settlement.

Modifying Child Support

Either parent may petition for modification by demonstrating a material change of circumstances that is substantial and continuing. Examples include a significant change in either parent’s income, a change in the child’s needs, or a change in the custody arrangement. Arkansas reviews child support orders periodically, and either parent may request a review at any time.

Any modification takes effect from the date the petition is filed, not retroactively. Arrearages accrue and cannot be retroactively reduced.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Arkansas’s Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) and the courts have extensive enforcement authority:

• Income withholding from wages and other income sources
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court proceedings, which may result in fines or incarceration

Alimony in Arkansas: The Rehabilitative Preference

Arkansas courts approach alimony with a clear preference for rehabilitative alimony — time-limited support designed to help the receiving spouse obtain education, training, or work experience needed to become self-supporting. Under ACA Section 9-12-312, the primary purpose of alimony is to bridge the gap between the parties’ financial positions rather than to equalize income.

This rehabilitative preference means that Arkansas courts will generally set a specific duration for alimony and expect the recipient to take concrete steps toward self-sufficiency during that period. Permanent alimony — ongoing support without a fixed end date — is available but typically reserved for long-term marriages where the receiving spouse cannot reasonably achieve self-sufficiency due to age, health, or other limiting factors.

The types of alimony available include:

• Temporary alimony. Support paid during the pendency of the divorce proceedings to maintain the status quo.
• Rehabilitative alimony. Support for a defined period to allow the receiving spouse to obtain education, training, or work experience. This is the most commonly awarded form.
• Permanent alimony. Ongoing support without a fixed end date, reserved for cases where rehabilitation is not feasible.

Factors in Alimony Determinations

Under Arkansas case law and ACA Section 9-12-312, the court considers:

• The financial circumstances of both parties
• The couple’s standard of living during the marriage
• The value of jointly owned property
• The amount and nature of the income of both parties
• The earning ability and capacity of both parties
• The property awarded to each party in the divorce
• The duration of the marriage
• The health and medical needs of both parties
• Any child custody arrangements and their financial impact

Arkansas does not have a specific statutory formula for calculating alimony. The court exercises discretion based on the totality of the circumstances.

Modification and Termination of Alimony

Alimony in Arkansas may be modified upon a showing of a changed circumstance that is material and continuing. Alimony generally terminates upon the death of either party, the remarriage of the recipient, or the cohabitation of the recipient with another person in a marriage-like relationship. The court may also set a specific termination date for rehabilitative alimony.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Arkansas’s income-shares model for child support and the Revised Family Support Chart provide a structured framework, but deviations, high-income situations, and shared custody arrangements add complexity. Alimony determinations involve significant judicial discretion, and the distinction between rehabilitative and permanent alimony can have substantial financial implications. If you are evaluating child support or alimony in Arkansas, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Arkansas?

Arkansas uses the income shares model under Administrative Order No. 10 and the Revised Arkansas Family Support Chart. Both parents’ net incomes are combined, and the Family Support Chart identifies the total support obligation based on combined net income and the number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined net income. Work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums for the child are added and divided proportionally.

How long does child support last in Arkansas?

Child support in Arkansas generally continues until the child turns 18, or through age 19 if the child is still attending high school. Support also terminates upon the child’s emancipation, marriage, or death. Arkansas does not generally require parents to contribute to college expenses, though parents may agree to such provisions in a settlement.

What types of alimony does Arkansas award?

Arkansas primarily favors rehabilitative alimony — time-limited support to help the receiving spouse obtain education, training, or employment to become self-supporting. Permanent alimony is available but is typically reserved for long-term marriages where the recipient cannot reasonably achieve self-sufficiency due to age, health, or other factors. Temporary alimony may be awarded during the divorce proceedings.

When does alimony terminate in Arkansas?

Alimony generally terminates upon the death of either party, the remarriage of the recipient, or the cohabitation of the recipient with another person in a marriage-like relationship. The court may also set a specific termination date for rehabilitative alimony. Either party may petition for modification by showing a material and continuing change in circumstances.

Why is Arkansas’s child support framework set by administrative order rather than statute?

Arkansas’s child support guidelines are established through Administrative Order No. 10, issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court, rather than through legislative statute. This allows the guidelines and the Family Support Chart to be reviewed and updated more efficiently through a court-appointed commission, without requiring the legislature to pass new laws. The practical effect is that the guidelines can be kept current with economic changes more readily.

Does Arkansas require parents to pay for college?

No. Arkansas does not generally require parents to contribute to post-secondary education expenses through the child support system. However, parents may voluntarily agree to college support provisions in a settlement agreement, which would then be enforceable as part of the divorce decree. Absent such an agreement, the court cannot order college support.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed by analyzing Administrative Order No. 10 and the Revised Arkansas Family Support Chart, including the income-shares formula, deviation criteria, and enforcement mechanisms. The alimony sections were researched through ACA Section 9-12-312 and Arkansas appellate case law distinguishing rehabilitative from permanent alimony. Additional sources included the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) publications, the Arkansas Supreme Court’s administrative orders governing child support guidelines review, and the Arkansas Bar Association’s family law section resources.

Sources and Legal References

• Administrative Order No. 10 — Arkansas Supreme Court child support guidelines and the Revised Arkansas Family Support Chart
• ACA Section 9-12-312 — Alimony provisions (rehabilitative, permanent, and temporary)
• ACA Section 9-14-107 — Child support enforcement mechanisms
• Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) — Enforcement publications and procedures
• Arkansas appellate case law on rehabilitative vs. permanent alimony and deviation criteria

Official Arkansas Resources

• Arkansas Judiciary
• Arkansas Court Forms

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• Child custody in Arkansas — The 2021 joint custody presumption and best interests factors
• Divorce in Arkansas — The 18-month separation requirement and equitable distribution
• How child support is calculated — National overview of child support models
• How alimony works — Types, duration, and modification across states
• Child support enforcement — Tools and remedies for collecting unpaid support
• How to file for child support — Step-by-step guide to establishing a support order
• Child support guidelines by state — Compare support frameworks across all states