S.G. V. Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Commonwealth of Kentucky; D.C.; J.S.; and L.G., a Child No. 2021-CA-0510-ME Warren County Family Court The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (“CHFS”) removed a minor child from Mother’s care when a finding of neglect was determined in a dependency, neglect, and abuse (“DNA”) action.  CHFS placed...Read More

Cabinet for Health and Family Services v. Batie, et al. No. 2021-CA-0580-ME Boyd County Circuit Court The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (“CHFS”) appealed an order granting custody of a minor child to Grandmother and Uncle of the minor child due to the family members lacking standing to pursue such custody order.  The Kentucky...Read More

One of the most common questions we get from clients is how to dress for any of the particular types of proceedings that they may encounter during a divorce or family court case. A few examples are covered below, including how to dress for going to the family courtroom, in addition to picking out your...Read More

Changing A Minor Child’s Name Requesting a name change starts with the filing of a petition, generally in probate court. Recent changes in Kentucky law allow name changes to also occur in circuit/family court. The name change forms must be typed, not handwritten. When a minor child’s name is at issue, the petition must be...Read More

Less Than Custody But Better Than Nothing? Guardianship is a term that is commonly used, but generally misunderstood. Guardianship and custody are NOT the same from a legal perspective. Parents have a superior right to custody, and have a higher level of rights than what guardianship provides. Guardianship may be used if both parents are...Read More

Cabinet for Health and Family Services v. B.N.T. and K.S. Clark Circuit Court In 2016, a child was born to mother K.S. Prior to the child’s birth, K.S. had an intimate relationship with B.N.T., a married man and, at the time, Clark County Attorney. Based on the timing of their relationship, B.N.T. wished to establish...Read More

Cabinet for Health and Family Services v. Baker, et al. Bullitt Circuit Court On June 9, 2020, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (the “Cabinet”) filed petitions for three siblings in the Bullitt County Family Court and opened a Dependency, Neglect, or Abuse (“DNA”) case. The same day, an order was entered, removing the...Read More

Waggoner v. Waggoner Jefferson Circuit Court Robert Waggoner filed a petition for a Domestic Violence Order (“DVO”) against his ex-wife, Christina, after a dispute at their former marital home occurred. An Emergency Protective Order (“EPO”) was entered and a DVO hearing was set. Preceding the hearing, counsel for both parties discussed a potential settlement agreement...Read More

An emerging part of family law addresses the rights of grandparents and other third parties (such as family members, i.e. uncles and aunts) in child custody and visitation cases. It also involves parents defending their ultimate right to custody against other family members who are involved in a family court dispute. The attorneys at Goldberg...Read More

J.L.R. v. A.L.A., et al. Madison Circuit Court On July 22, 2020, Grandparents of the Child in this matter initiated filed a “Verified Petition for Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption.” After conducting an evidentiary hearing, the family court entered a finding of facts and conclusion of law alongside a “Judgement of Termination of Parental...Read More