K.D.H. v. Com., Cabinet for Health & Fam. Servs. Spencer Circuit Court After the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (“the Cabinet”) petitioned to terminate Mother’s parental rights, Family Court held a hearing, ultimately terminating Mother’s parental rights. Mother appealed. The Court of Appeals held that there was no clear and convincing evidence that the...Read More

Many people enjoy a very close relationship with their stepparent or stepchild.  Sometimes this bond is just as strong as if the individuals were in fact parent and child biologically.  However, it is important to remember that for most legal purposes, a stepparent and stepchild relationship is entirely meaningless.  You should never make assumptions about...Read More

Kentucky’s custody and parenting time statue does not favor a mother over a father. Instead, Kentucky courts apply a best interest standard to determine a parenting time schedule that is in the best interest of the child. There is a rebuttable presumption that equal parenting time is in the child’s best interest. While a father’s...Read More

It is not uncommon for married couples to hold title to assets in the name of only one spouse. Most often, couples will hold a joint savings or checking account and also have separate banking, investment, and retirement accounts. In Kentucky, all assets acquired during the marriage are presumed to be marital property and subject...Read More

Gambrel v. Croushore ex rel. Villarreal Campbell Circuit Court The issue in this case was whether court-appointed guardians ad litem (“G.A.L.”) enjoy absolute quasi-judicial immunity from malpractice claims arising from their role in child custody proceedings. Absolute immunity against suits for money damages has been extended to non-judicial officers performing quasi-judicial duties. Kentucky extends quasi-judicial...Read More

MEMORANDUM Moore v. Moore Whitley Circuit Court Questions Presented: KRS 403.340(3). Modification of Visitation. Best Interests of the Children. Risk of Harm. The “Law of this Case” Doctrine. The issue here is whether the trial court erred in failing to make a specific written finding that it was in the best interests of the Movant’s...Read More

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (“UCCJEA”), KRS 403.800 et seq., has provisions which permit nonparents to petition a court for custody. KRS 403.822 permits a “person acting as a parent” to petition a court for custody. Mullins v. Picklesimer, 317 S.W.3d 569, 575 (Ky. 2010). A “person acting as a parent” is...Read More

A common question those considering divorce in Kentucky ask is regarding time frame. How long will it take me to get a divorce? Each case has a different timeline depending on the assets involved, number of legal issues, and a whole variety of other factors. It is unlikely your divorce will have a definite conclusion...Read More

Termination of parental rights is the most serious matter that Kentucky family courts deal with.Read More