Technically, Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas are two separate cities. Each has their own local government that runs separate and independent from the other, working under the government and laws of their respective states: Arkansas and Texas. However, in reality, citizens of Texarkana and the surrounding areas shop, eat, and function entirely as if the two cities are one. Many twin-city inhabitants move their residence back and forth across the state line several times in their lifetime in the same way people all over the country move back and forth across town in their cities.
But what happens when a resident of Texarkana who has resided on both sides of the state line contemplates divorce? In which state do they file? It’s a question that arises often in the twin-city.
To file for divorce in Arkansas, one spouse must have resided in Arkansas for a minimum of sixty (60) days pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §9-12-307(a)(B). In addition, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §9-12-307(a)(C), the final decree of divorce cannot be entered until he or she has resided in Arkansas for a three (3) month period.