Kentucky divorce at a glance
Official source: Kentucky court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Kentucky: step by step
Kentucky is no-fault; the main requirement is living apart for 60 days before the decree. Here is the path to a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.
- Confirm you can file in Kentucky
One spouse must have lived in Kentucky for 180 days. Kentucky is no-fault (irretrievable breakdown), and you must have lived apart for 60 days before the decree.Source: KRS 403.140; KRS 403.044 - Prepare your petition and agreement
Prepare the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a settlement/separation agreement.Source: Kentucky AOC forms - File with the court
File with the Circuit (Family) Court and pay about $113–$250 (typically ~$148), or file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (AOC-025.1).Source: AOC-025.1 (fee waiver) - Serve your spouse
Serve your spouse, or have them file a waiver/entry of appearance.Source: Ky. R. Civ. P. 4 - Complete the CS-71 worksheet (if children)
If you have minor children, complete the CS-71 child-support worksheet.Source: KRS 403.212 (CS-71) - Finalize after living apart 60 days
After the 60-day living-apart period, the court enters the Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.Source: Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Kentucky?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In Kentucky you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your Kentucky pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in Kentucky
Income-shares model using the CS-71 worksheet. (KRS 403.212)
Because Kentucky uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a Kentucky divorce take?
The spouses must have lived apart for 60 days before the decree can enter ("living apart" can include the same residence without cohabitation). (KRS 403.044) After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Kentucky divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Moderate. AOC forms are statewide, but fees vary by county and some family courts (Jefferson/Louisville) have local case-management orders.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
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 → See how it worksWhy 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.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
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.