how to get a divorce without a lawyer in kentucky

by Sean Wehner 8 min read

  • DIY divorce in Kentucky (Lowest Cost) If you are on a tight budget then you could handle your divorce on your own without involving a lawyer. ...
  • Online Divorce Services. If you don’t really know how to go about the divorce process and filling out the various papers, then you can opt for an online divorce service ...
  • Mediation Assisted Divorce (Medium Cost) If there are only one or two issues that you and your spouse cannot seem to come to a satisfactory verdict for both sides, hiring ...
  • Attorney Assisted Divorce (Highest Cost) If you and your spouse are unable to agree on most of the divorce matters, hiring a lawyer will be the best route for you.

Do I need a lawyer to get a divorce in Kentucky?

You and/or your spouse are not required to be a U.S. citizen to get a divorce in Kentucky. You can get a divorce as long as one of you has lived in Kentucky for at least 180 days. But if your right to live in the U.S. depends on your marriage, divorce could affect your status. If this is your scenario, we advise you to contact a lawyer.

What is it called when you divorce someone in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, when you end a marriage through the courts, it is called a dissolution of marriage. This is another name for divorce. In these questions, we use the term divorce, but it is important that you remember that the legal process is called dissolution of marriage. How long do I have to live in Kentucky before I can file for divorce?

Where can I get divorce papers in Kentucky?

The divorce papers are also available for a nominal fee at the local courthouse or driver’s license branch. You can alternatively access the interactive divorce form on the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky that is an online interface, which helps you prepare your form correctly.

How long does it take to get a divorce in Kentucky?

To finalize the divorce in Kentucky, you must be separated from your spouse for at least 60 days. In the interim period, if you have children, the court may order your spouse and you to join a course on divorce education.

image

How much is an uncontested divorce in Kentucky?

Divorce Filing Fees and Typical Attorney Fees by StateStateAverage Filing FeesOther Divorce Costs and Attorney FeesKentucky$148 (without an attorney), $153 (with an attorney)Average fees: $8,000+Louisiana$150 to $250Average fees: $10,000Maine$120Average fees: $8,000+Maryland$165Average fees: $11,00048 more rows•Jul 21, 2020

What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Kentucky?

The uncontested divorce in Kentucky is perhaps the easiest to complete from a process point of view. While there are several legal options for bringing your marriage to an end in Kentucky, an uncontested divorce is often the fast and most cost-effective solution.

Can you get a divorce without a lawyer in KY?

Filing for divorce in Kentucky without a lawyer typically works best in uncontested cases. For more complicated cases or where the couple is unable to reach an agreement, it's better to consult a divorce lawyer. Similarly, you might need expert assistance if you have minor children or own considerable assets.

How can I get a free divorce in Kentucky?

If you can't afford to pay the filing fees, you can ask the judge to waive the fees by filing a Motion for Waiver of Costs and Fees and to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. If the court grants your request to waive fees, you won't have to pay any court costs during your divorce.

Do you have to be separated before divorce in KY?

In Kentucky, to get divorced the parties have to be “separated” for at least sixty days before they can get divorced. This means that the parties either live apart or refrain from having intercourse for sixty days prior to the divorce being finalized.

Can you get a divorce online in KY?

For those seeking an inexpensive divorce in the state of Kentucky, online divorce is an easy, affordable, and fast solution to prepare legal forms. Online divorce may be appropriate for couples who have an uncontested case.

How long do you have to be separated in KY to get divorced?

In Kentucky, however, you must be legally separated for a minimum of one year before either spouse can ask for a formal divorce. (K.R.S. § 403.230.)

How do I start a divorce in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, the grounds for divorce are “no-fault.” To file for divorce in Kentucky, neither party has to show that the other party is at fault, such as adultery. The Kentucky court is required to make a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken before the court can enter a decree for a divorce.

Do you have to go to court for a divorce?

In short, no. The court is an integral part of the process but you do not have to attend at court unless you require a judge to adjudicate a dispute between you.

What forms do I need to file for divorce in Kentucky?

Which specific forms do I need?Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. ... VS-300, Certificate of Divorce or Annulment data entry sheet (Instructions)AOC-FC-3, Case Data Information Sheet. ... AOC-105, Civil Summons.AOC-238 / AOC-239, Preliminary / Final Verified Disclosure Statements. ... Optional.

Is Ky A no fault divorce state?

Kentucky is a No-Fault Divorce State As a no-fault divorce state, family court judges in Kentucky usually have no interest in hearing about a cheating spouse's misconduct.

Can I get divorced without a lawyer?

Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the aid of an attorney.

How long do you have to be a resident of Kentucky to get divorced?

Before filing for divorce in the state of Kentucky, one or both spouses must be a resident of Kentucky for at least 180 days. One or both spouses also must be a resident of the county in which the divorce is filed. If you don’t meet these residency requirements, you cannot get divorced in Kentucky until you meet them.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced in Kentucky?

Wait 60 days. In order to finalize your divorce in Kentucky, you and your spouse must be separated for a minimum of 60 days. This waiting period is mandatory in all Kentucky divorces. Once you have waited 60 days, your divorce can become final.

What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to my divorce?

When your spouse has been served with notice of the divorce, but does not file a response, you can finalize your divorce by asking for a default judgment. In this case, you have not been able to reach an agreement with your spouse and he or she simply doesn’t respond to the divorce filing.

What happens if you file a settlement agreement with your spouse?

If you and your spouse have agreed on all matters and have filed the Marital Settlement Agreement, then the judge will ask questions about your agreement during the hearing. If everything is in order, the court will approve your agreement.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

Anyone who wishes to file a divorce must pay a court filing fee of $113.00. This amount can be paid to your local county clerk’s office in cash or by certified check or money order. You should always check with your local clerk’s office to ensure that there are no other fees. Obtain and complete any optional forms.

How long does it take to get divorce papers?

This step formally places your divorce on file with your local court and starts the divorce process. The 60-day waiting period starts running on the date that you file your divorce documents.

How to get divorced from a spouse?

1. Divide your property and debts. In order to get divorced, you and your spouse must divide all of your property. If you agree how to divide your property and debts, then you and your spouse can complete and file the Marital Settlement Agreement.

Can you file for divorce without a lawyer in Kentucky?

You can file for divorce in Kentucky with or without an attorney. If you don't hire an attorney, you will have to make sure that all of your paperwork is correct. This option works best when you don't have a complicated or contested divorce.

How do I file for divorce in Kentucky with no money?

There is a filing fee. If you cannot afford to pay the fee, you can ask the court to let you file a divorce without paying the fee. The court will then decide whether you can afford to pay the filing fee or not. Shortly after you file for divorce the court will often have a hearing.

How do I start a divorce in Kentucky?

In order to file for divorce in Kentucky, the person filing (the petitioner) must be a resident of Kentucky for at least 180 days. You may file in Circuit Court in the county where either you or your spouse resides. The most simple procedure is an uncontested divorce.

How is property divided in a divorce in Kentucky?

Kentucky has equitable distribution laws in place, meaning that all marital assets are supposed to be split 50-50 in the case of a divorce. Marital property includes that which was obtained during the course of the couple's marriage, even if title to a particular asset is held in only one of the spouse's names.

Does infidelity affect divorce in Kentucky?

Kentucky is a No-Fault Divorce State As a no-fault divorce state, family court judges in Kentucky usually have no interest in hearing about a cheating spouse's misconduct. Meaning, infidelity alone is not enough to deny a spouse maintenance or alimony if he or she is otherwise entitled to it.

How is maintenance determined in a divorce?

The maintenance amount is decided by the Court of Law which is based on varying factors including financial position and the liabilities of the husband, justifiable reasons behind the separation/divorce etc.

Is my wife entitled to half my house?

All property of the husband and wife is considered ?marital property.? This means that even property brought into the marriage by one person becomes marital property that will be split in half in a divorce. However, the court does not have to give each spouse one half of the property.

How to serve your spouse with divorce papers in Kentucky?

Serving Your Spouse With Divorce Papers. In Kentucky, proof of service can be done either by certified mail or by having a person over 18 years old personally deliver the paperwork. This is usually done by a professional process server or a sheriff or constable. Kentucky laws gives a petitioner 45 days from the date of filing to complete proof ...

How long do you have to live in Kentucky before filing for divorce?

Service members stationed at a Kentucky base must reside there for at least 180 days before filing for divorce, unless the spouse who filed first is a Kentucky resident. The grounds for military divorce are the same as they are for a civilian divorce in Kentucky. You only need to cite irreconcilable differences.

How long do you have to be a resident of Kentucky to file for divorce?

What are the residency requirements to file for a divorce in Kentucky? To file for divorce in Kentucky, one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for at least 180 days prior to the filing of the Complaint.

How long does it take for a divorce attorney to report back to the court?

The attorney has to report back to the court within 50 days of his appointment with the result of his efforts to locate the defendant. If the warning order attorney does not locate your spouse, you can still move forward with your divorce, but only after the warning order attorney files a report with the court.

How long does it take to get divorced in Kentucky?

If there are no children in the marriage, the divorce can proceed quicker as long as they have lived in Kentucky for at least 180 days and live apart from each other for a minimum of 60 days.

Can a spouse postpone divorce?

In addition, when a spouse is in the military, they have certain protections afforded to them by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This allows them to postpone the divorce while they are overseas or otherwise not able to adequately respond to the petition due to military service commitments.

Can a service member waive divorce?

A service member can waive delaying the divorce by signing paperwork that will allow the divorce to proceed uncontested. Child support and spousal support are determined by Kentucky state guidelines, but these awards may not exceed 60% of a servicemembers pay and allowances.

Get Your Divorce Forms Completed Online

You don’t need to visit the Clerk of Courts office to collect legal forms. With our assistance, you can download completed Kentucky divorce forms based upon answers you provide to our online questionnaire. Just follow our step-by-step instructions, and your completed paperwork will be available in just a couple of days.

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Kentucky

Answer our detailed online questionnaire system, and we will fill out the forms for you, based on your answers and taking into account the requirements of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

How to get proof of service in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, proof of service must be completed by making sure divorce paperwork is delivered to the other spouse. This can be done either by certified mail, or by having a person over 18 years old personally deliver the paperwork. This is usually done by a professional process server or a sheriff or constable.

What happens if you don't agree with your spouse?

Litigation is an attorney-driven process. While the majority of cases settle before going to trial, that doesn’t mean litigation won’t wreak havoc on you and your kids.

Is collaborative divorce legal?

Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t just mean that you and your spouse are going to work out your divorce “collaboratively.” There’s much more to it. Collaborative divorce is a structured process that takes a team approach. Divorce is much more than a legal process. It’s about money, kids, and emotions.

Is Kentucky a No-Fault Divorce State?

Yes, Kentucky is a no-fault divorce state. This means that, in Kentucky, neither spouse can be blamed for the ending of the marriage. There is one requirement, though—at least one of the spouses must believe that the breakdown is irretrievable and that there’s no chance for reconciliation.

Divorce Laws in KY

To file for an uncontested divorce in Kentucky, you have to meet certain statutory requirements:

How To File for Divorce in Kentucky

You can file for a friendly divorce once you and your spouse agree on all the important issues, such as:

Let DoNotPay Draw Up a Rock-Solid Divorce Settlement Agreement in a Breeze!

Even if you and your spouse agree on everything, divorce can still be a difficult and emotional undertaking. We created the Divorce Settlement Agreement product to make the process as fast, simple, and painless as possible.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in KY?

Even if you don’t hire an attorney, the divorce will cost you some money. Uncontested divorce is cheaper in KY, but you’ll still have to pay some filing fees. The court will charge you a fee for filing divorce papers, which is $113 in Kentucky, but you should check with your local clerk’s office for the exact amount in your county.

Need More Information About Uncontested Divorces? DoNotPay Is Your Go-To Source!

Divorce is a confusing and complicated process even when it’s amicable, so it’s not unusual to have questions about it. Luckily, DoNotPay has a comprehensive learning center you can check out to find answers to various divorce-related questions, such as:

DoNotPay Covers All the Bases

From getting you ready for various government tests to helping you reduce your property taxes, DoNotPay offers valuable assistance with the tasks that make most people at least roll their eyes. Dealing with bureaucracy isn’t fun, but it also doesn’t have to be as difficult as it is.

image