The judgment in a lawsuit is the court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the disputed matters. It describes the relief or recovery that one party should have from the other—whether in the form of money, ownership of disputed assets, or injunctive relief that requires a party to take a certain action (make mortgage payments or sell a piece of real or personal property) or refrain from taking an certain action (contacting another person by phone or email or coming within 100 feet of them).

The date on which the court signs the judgment usually triggers or begins the running of postjudgment deadlines such as for filing a notice of appeal of the judgment.

In Arkansas, as in other states, a judgment in a lawsuit represents the court's final decision on the rights and obligations of the parties involved in a legal dispute. This judgment is legally binding and may include various forms of relief such as monetary compensation, transfer of asset ownership, or injunctive relief, which could either compel a party to perform a specific act or prohibit them from certain actions. Once the court signs the judgment, it becomes enforceable, and this date is critical as it starts the clock on various postjudgment deadlines. For instance, parties wishing to appeal the judgment typically have a limited time frame to file a notice of appeal, which is governed by state statutes. In Arkansas, the notice of appeal must generally be filed within 30 days from the date of entry of the judgment. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can result in the loss of the right to appeal and other postjudgment remedies.