2016 Arkansas Code
Title 9 - Family Law
Subtitle 2 - Domestic Relations
Chapter 11 - Marriage
Subchapter 6 - -- Rights in Real Estate of Insane Spouse
§ 9-11-604. Setting apart dower or curtesy as life estate in certain lands

(a) (1) Any person owning lands in this state whose spouse is adjudged permanently insane may apply by petition to the circuit court of the county where the lands or the greater part thereof are situated to have a life estate in a part of the lands set apart to the spouse in lieu of the spouse's inchoate right of dower or curtesy, as the case may be, in all of the lands and the remaining lands discharged and unencumbered of the dower or curtesy interest of the spouse.

(2) The petition shall set forth the insanity of the spouse, the nature and duration thereof, the person with whom and the place at which the spouse may then be residing, describing all the real estate of the plaintiff, and that it will be to the best interest of all parties.

(b) On the filing of the petition, the court shall appoint some reliable person, a citizen of the county, not related to either of the parties nor interested directly or indirectly in the real estate nor in any part thereof as guardian ad litem for the spouse. The guardian ad litem shall forthwith cause the appearance of the spouse to be entered of record in the case and make such pleadings in the case from time to time as may seem fit to him or her for the interest of his or her ward and be consistent with the practice of the court. All acts of the guardian ad litem shall be deemed valid and binding on his or her ward.

(c) The court on hearing the petition and being satisfied that it will be to the best interests of the parties to have the life estate in a part of the lands set apart to the spouse in lieu of dower or curtesy in the whole of the lands shall appoint three (3) persons as commissioners not interested in the lands nor in any part thereof who shall set apart the life estate in lieu of dower or curtesy, designating specifically the lands. They shall make their report to the court, which report shall be subject to the approval of the court.

(d) On approval of the report of the commissioners, the court shall make an order and decree divesting the dower or curtesy of the spouse out of the real estate of the plaintiff and in lieu thereof vesting in the spouse a life estate of the lands designated by the commissioners, and authorizing and empowering the plaintiff to sell the remainder of the lands or to mortgage and encumber the remainder of the lands free from any dower or curtesy rights of the spouse.