Kentucky divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
180 days residency in Kentucky before filing (KRS 403.140).
No-fault ground
Irretrievable breakdown — only ground (KRS 403.170). Parties must have lived apart 60 days before decree (KRS 403.044; 'living apart' can include same residence without sexual cohabitation). With minor children, decree also not entered until 60 days after…
Filing fee
$113-$250 by county (~$148 typical). Fee waiver: Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (AOC-025.1) under KRS 453.190.
Child support
CS-71 Child Support Worksheet (CHFS form, mandatory with minor children); CS-71.1 for split custody. Model: INCOME SHARES (KRS 403.212, guidelines updated 2023 with shared-parenting-time adjustment).
E-filing (self-represented)
KCOJ eFiling (eFlex, kcoj.kycourts.net). Mandatory-in-practice for attorneys; self-represented litigants CAN register and e-file in participating counties (statewide coverage) but paper filing with…
County differences
MODERATE — AOC forms are statewide, but filing fees vary by county ($113-$250, commonly ~$148) due to local add-on fees, and some family courts (e.g. Jefferson/Louisville) have local case-management/status-quo orders.…
Official statewide forms
YES — AOC (Administrative Office of the Courts) standardized statewide divorce forms on kycourts.gov: without-children packet built on the AOC-251 series (AOC-251 Verified Petition, AOC-251.1 Waiver of Service/Entry of…
Official source: Kentucky court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
Kentucky document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Kentucky. In the meantime, the official Kentucky court forms are linked below.
Official Kentucky forms →
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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Kentucky divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Kentucky divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Kentucky to file for divorce?
180 days residency in Kentucky before filing (KRS 403.140).
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Kentucky?
$113-$250 by county (~$148 typical). Fee waiver: Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (AOC-025.1) under KRS 453.190. With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about Kentucky’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.