All, I searched the archives back to 2008 and did not find an answer to these questions. Perhaps I didn’t use specific enough search terms. I pulled an original file at a courthouse. The divorce decree was written in pencil on ledger paper and it was not signed or dated, and not file marked. However, I can determine from two separate documents in the packet that the case was heard in court on 11-24-20, and on the back of one of those documents (not the decree) the circuit clerk wrote “filed 11-24-20” and signed his name and title. I went to the court book to have a look at the decree/judgment. It was not dated individually, but a few pages over, there was a statement that court was adjourned and it was signed by the Judge and dated 11-26-20. It appears the Judge had heard a number of different kinds of cases and had signed off on ALL of them with one signature at the adjournment statement. My first question: Which date, the 24th or the 26th, is the date of the decree since it was undated on the specific document both in the packet and in the court book? Second question: When was the divorce final? Was the decree made on the 24th, but the divorce not final until the 26th since that’s when the Judge made his signature in the court book and a date was written under that signature? It is my understanding that a divorce is not truly “final” until it is filed and date stamped by the circuit clerk’s office. But, again, the only document that was handwritten “filed” and dated and signed by the clerk was on a document that was not the decree itself but on a document that was a statement produced in court the day the case was heard. To further complicate matters, at the top of the ledger page in the book, was written the”Thirteenth Day of Court, 1920.” The page following the adjournment statement was handwritten at the top “Fourteenth Day of Court, 1920.” The plaintiff’s complaint for divorce was dated 31 August 1920, and a subsequent document shows “September Term of Court,” but the case was not heard until Wednesday, 11-24-20. So, how long is a “day of court?” I cannot find an answer to this, either. But, mainly, I need to know WHEN the divorce was final—the 24th as per the only document marked “filed” and signed by the clerk, or the 26th when the Judge signed off on that date? Thanks much for your knowledge and help on this. Best, Thea ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am a genealogist. I collect people. Thea Walden Baker, M.A. Full House Genealogy Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research Member, Association of Professional Genealogists Co-editor, Arkansas Family Historian, a publication of the Arkansas Genealogical Society 501-230-3603