How long does an eviction take in arkansas? In most cases, a civil eviction takes about 2 to 3 weeks from the first notice if the tenant does not respond. If the tenant files a written objection and gets a hearing, it typically takes about 3 to 6 weeks. The honest answer to how long does an eviction take in arkansas depends on which stage your landlord has reached. It also depends on whether you respond to the court papers on time.
- How Long Does an Eviction Take in Arkansas: Stage by Stage
- The Arkansas Notice Period: Where the Clock Starts
- From Filing to Hearing in Arkansas
- Judgment, Writ, and Lockout: How Long Does an Eviction Take in Arkansas at the End
- What Makes an Arkansas Eviction Faster or Slower
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does an Eviction Take in Arkansas: Stage by Stage
Arkansas evictions move fast compared with most states. The civil process is called “unlawful detainer,” and it’s covered by Ark. Code § 18-60-301 and the sections that follow. Each stage has its own clock. Some stages have exact numbers in the statute. Others have no fixed number and depend on the court.
Here is how long does an eviction take in arkansas, one stage at a time:
| Stage | Days in Arkansas | Arkansas law or rule |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to quit (nonpayment) | 3 days | Ark. Code § 18-60-304(3) |
| Notice to quit (lease violation) | 3 days | Ark. Code § 18-60-304 |
| Notice to end month-to-month (no cause) | 30 days | Ark. Code § 18-17-704 |
| Filing in court | No fixed number. Typically 1 to 5 days after notice ends | Landlord’s choice; § 18-60-307 |
| Service of papers | No fixed number. Typically 2 to 7 days after filing | § 18-60-307 (sheriff or process server) |
| Tenant’s written objection deadline | 5 days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays | § 18-60-307(c) |
| Hearing date (only if you object) | No fixed number. Typically 1 to 3 weeks after objection | § 18-60-307; local court calendars |
| Judgment | Usually the same day as the hearing | § 18-60-307 |
| Writ of possession | No fixed number. Often issued within a few days | § 18-60-307; § 18-60-310 |
| Lockout by sheriff | 24 hours after the writ is served | § 18-60-307; § 18-60-310 |
The “typical” ranges above come from how Arkansas district and circuit courts usually schedule cases. They are not set by statute. Your county may be faster or slower.
The Arkansas Notice Period: Where the Clock Starts
The clock starts with a written notice. For unpaid rent, Arkansas law requires a 3-day written notice to quit before the landlord can file (Ark. Code § 18-60-304(3)). Many leases add a grace period. For example, rent may not count as late until 5 days after the due date. For a lease violation, the landlord also typically gives a 3-day notice. For a month-to-month tenancy with no cause, the landlord usually must give 30 days’ notice.
A valid notice should be in writing. It should name the tenant, the address, and the date you must leave. It should also say why the tenancy is ending. If the notice is missing, too short, or never delivered, you may be able to raise that as a defense. As a result, the landlord may have to start over. That can add a week or more to how long does an eviction take in arkansas.
Arkansas also still has an old “failure to vacate” law (Ark. Code § 18-16-101). It uses a 10-day notice and treats staying as a misdemeanor. However, several Arkansas courts have found it unconstitutional. It also cannot be used to physically remove you. Most landlords today use the civil process instead. If you get a criminal summons, call legal aid right away.
From Filing to Hearing in Arkansas
Most Arkansas evictions are filed in district court. Some are filed in circuit court. After filing, a sheriff, deputy, or licensed process server delivers the complaint to you. The papers include a “Notice of Intention to Issue Writ of Possession.” Read it the day you get it. It tells you how many days you have left.
This is the most important moment for how long does an eviction take in arkansas. If you do nothing, the court can order the writ without ever holding a hearing. For example, a tenant served on a Monday may have until the following Saturday to object. Sundays and legal holidays don’t count. However, many clerk offices close on Saturdays, so file early.
If you file a written objection, the landlord must request a hearing date. The court then sends notice of the hearing by certified mail. Arkansas sets no fixed number of days for the hearing. In most cases, it lands 1 to 3 weeks after your objection. A 2021 change to § 18-60-307 means tenants typically no longer have to pay rent into the court just to object. Check with your court clerk to confirm local practice. As a result, objecting usually buys real time.
Judgment, Writ, and Lockout: How Long Does an Eviction Take in Arkansas at the End
At the hearing, the judge usually rules that same day. If the landlord wins, the court can order a writ of possession. There is no fixed waiting period in the statute. Typically, the writ issues within a few days of the judgment. The sheriff then serves it and gives you 24 hours to leave before removing you (§ 18-60-310). So near the end, how long does an eviction take in arkansas? Often less than a week after judgment.
You may be able to appeal a district court ruling to circuit court. Under Arkansas District Court Rule 9, you typically have 30 days to file. However, an appeal alone may not stop the lockout. You often need to post a bond or ask the court for a stay. Ask legal aid about this right away. Many tenants lose their appeal window because they wait.
At this stage, you can still talk to your landlord. Some landlords accept a move-out date or payment plan in writing. Always get any deal on paper and filed with the court.
What Makes an Arkansas Eviction Faster or Slower
The biggest factor is your response. If you don’t object, the case can end in about 2 to 3 weeks from the first notice. If you object, the hearing typically adds 1 to 3 weeks. Court backlog matters too. For example, Pulaski County may schedule hearings differently than a small rural court. As a result, how long does an eviction take in arkansas can vary by county.
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Paying the rent owed can sometimes end the case. However, Arkansas law does not force a landlord to accept late rent after the notice. Many landlords will still take it to avoid court. Ask in writing. Rental help may also be available through local community action agencies or 211. Some Arkansas courts offer mediation, too.
Some mistakes speed things up for the landlord. The most common ones are missing the 5-day objection deadline, not showing up to the hearing, and ignoring mail from the court. In most cases, a tenant who responds on time gets more time and more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an eviction take in arkansas if I don’t respond?
Typically about 2 to 3 weeks from the first notice. After the 5-day objection window closes, the landlord can get a writ of possession, and the sheriff can remove you after 24 hours’ notice. Responding on time is the best way to slow things down.
Can my landlord lock me out without going to court?
No. In Arkansas, the landlord needs a court order and a writ of possession served by the sheriff. Changing the locks or removing your things on their own is generally not allowed. Contact local legal aid if this happens.
Does filing an objection change how long does an eviction take in arkansas?
Yes. Filing a written objection forces a hearing, which typically adds 1 to 3 weeks. It also gives you a chance to raise defenses, like a bad notice. Check with your court or a local legal-aid office for help filing.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.