Buying a Home After Divorce in Arkansas

The mortgage-specific mechanics of a divorce buyout, refinance, or new purchase.

Three common scenarios

Scenario 1: Buyout of the existing marital home

One spouse keeps the house and refinances into their own name, with or without cash to the exiting spouse.

Scenario 2: Sale + both parties buy separately

Sell the marital home, split proceeds per decree, each party buys separately.

Scenario 3: One party keeps the existing home, the other buys new

This requires both mortgages to work simultaneously, typically with the decree assigning mortgage responsibility.

What counts as income

Alimony and child support count — but only if the decree specifies amount and duration, at least 3 months of documented receipt has occurred, and the support is scheduled to continue for at least 3 more years.