Emergency Family-Law Resources in Arkansas
Official starting points for immediate safety, interim custody orders, protective orders, and Arkansas DCFS.
Temporary orders involving children
Arkansas does not promise same-day rulings on any private interim filing. Emergency hearings are limited. Use the Circuit Court interim procedure and forms, and confirm the receiving court's local intake and deadlines.
A parent can request interim custody / visitation through the Circuit Court procedure. For an immediate threat, an Order of Protection petition is a separate, faster route.
Orders of protection (Ark 9-15)
Arkansas's primary domestic-abuse protective order is under Ark. Code ch. 9-15. An emergency order lasts up to 72 hours; a temporary ex parte order precedes the hearing; a final order lasts at least 90 days and up to 10 years, renewable. There is no filing fee. Obey every term; only the court can change it.
Arkansas child protective (DCFS)
Reports of suspected abuse or neglect go to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964 (24/7) or 1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD, or 911 for immediate. Arkansas law imposes a duty to report for mandated reporters. An unsubstantiated report does not prove it was knowingly false and does not by itself end custody or visitation.
- Ark 9-15-206 — protective orders
- Ark 9-13-101 — custody / best interests
- Arkansas DHS — report child abuse
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the clerk of the Arkansas Circuit Court handling your case.