AR HB1959

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-12-312(b) to establish that rehabilitative alimony payments must be in fixed installments for a specified period and qualify as periodic payments under the Internal Revenue Code.

Requires that when a request for rehabilitative alimony or modification is made, the payor may request or the court may require the recipient to provide a rehabilitation plan for the court to evaluate for feasibility, amount, and duration.

Limits alimony awards to 20% of the payor's net income when marital property is divided 50/50, or 10% of net income when the payor is age 62 or older and retired.

Caps the initial alimony award duration at 3 years from the date of divorce, with recipients allowed to petition for extension within 6 months of expiration.

Allows payors to petition for review or modification of alimony orders at any time based on significant and material changes in circumstances, and permits payors to petition for court review if recipients fail to meet rehabilitation plan requirements.