how to get divirced without a lawyer in ky

by Meagan Hahn 8 min read

To start your divorce process without the help of an attorney. You will require to fill in some forms. Most of the forms are available online on the website of the Kentucky Court of Justice. The divorce papers are also available for a nominal fee at the local courthouse or driver’s license branch.

In order to qualify for an uncontested divorce in Kentucky the spouse filing the divorce petition must have been living in the State of Kentucky for at least 180 days prior to the filing of divorce paperwork. The former spouses must have been separated for at least 60 days prior to filing.

Full Answer

How to get a divorce in Kentucky without an attorney?

To start your divorce process without the help of an attorney. You will require to fill in some forms. Most of the forms are available online on the website of the Kentucky Court of Justice. The divorce papers are also available for a nominal fee at the local courthouse or driver’s license branch.

How does the Kentucky divorce process work?

The Kentucky court may ask you to attend mediation with your spouse. However, even after this, if you are unable to reach an agreement, the case will go to trial, where the court takes the decision on all issues for you.

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.

Can I get a divorce without a lawyer?

Yes, you can get a divorce without using an attorney but you’ll need to stay on top of filling out the relevant forms correctly and filing them as required. This approach to getting a divorce is known as "pro se," a Latin term for "on your own behalf."

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How much does it cost for 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

Can you file for divorce yourself in Kentucky?

You can't serve your spouse yourself; you must have someone who's at least 18 years of age and not a party to the case do it. In Kentucky, you can hire a sheriff or process server to personally deliver the documents to your spouse.

What do you need for a divorce in Kentucky?

What forms do I need to file for a divorce in Kentucky? To begin the divorce process a party needs to file a Petition, Family Case Data Sheet, Civil Summons and a VS-300, which is a vital statistics form that is filed with the state.

How long do you have to be separated in the state of Kentucky to get a divorce?

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.) It's important to understand that you can only file for a legal separation if both spouses agree to the legal process.

Where do I get divorce papers in KY?

Marriage and Divorce Certificates Purchases The Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics will, upon receiving the application and fee, perform a search for the record. If the record is on file, a certified copy will be mailed to you.

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.

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree?

So in case of divorce by mutual consent, it usually takes 18-24 months. In case of a contested divorce, the period is longer, ranging from three to five years because of complications and possibility that either party can challenge the decision in the High Court and Supreme Court.

How long after a divorce can you remarry in Kentucky?

Divorce on the Grounds of AdulteryStatePost-Divorce Remarriage Waiting PeriodKansas30 days unless waived in DecreeKentuckyNoneLouisianaNoneMaineNone47 more rows

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Ky?

The reality is that the Judge does not care who filed first, or even why the Petition was filed. Kentucky is a “no fault” state, so it does not matter why a person wants to get divorced.

Do you have to be legally 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.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce is automatic?

Most state courts will automatically enter a divorce decree if the parties have been legally separated for a period of time, often one to two years, and meet the basic eligibility requirements.

How are divorce papers served 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.

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 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.

What is no fault divorce in Kentucky?

Divorce laws in Kentucky provide for “no-fault” divorce. This means that if one party wants to get divorced, he or she can do so by claiming that there has been an “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.”.

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 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.

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.

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