The document outlines key terms and steps in the divorce process in Kentucky. It defines terms like petitioner, respondent, petition for dissolution of marriage, and decree of dissolution of marriage. It explains that the petitioner must file for divorce in the county where they or their spouse lives and that Kentucky follows a no-fault divorce system. Common issues addressed in a divorce are division of assets and debts, child custody and support, and possible spousal support. The divorce process concludes with a marital settlement agreement or trial, ultimately resulting in a decree of dissolution of marriage.

1. THE DIVORCE PROCESS
in Kentucky

2. DIVORCE TERMINOLOGY

3. PETITIONER –
spouse who files for the divorce

4. RESPONDENT –
non-filing spouse

5. PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF
MARRIAGE –
name of the document that must be
filed with the appropriate court to begin
the divorce process in Kentucky

6. DECREE OF DISSOLUTION OF
MARRIAGE –
name of the document entered when
the divorce process is complete and
you are granted a divorce

7. SUMMONS –
document sent to the Respondent,
along with a copy of the Petition for
Dissolution of Marriage, informing the
Respondent that the divorce process
has begun

8. CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET –
document that must be filled out and
used to compute child support if minor
children are involved

9. MARITAL SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT –
document filed with the court when the
parties are able to reach an agreement
with regard to issues in the divorce

10. FILING AND ANSWERING THE
PETITION

11. Petitioner must have resided in
Kentucky (or been stationed in the
military) for 180 days prior to filing
the petition

12. Filed in the Circuit Court where one
party lives (unless agreed
otherwise)

13. Kentucky is a “no-fault” state

14. Respondent has a limited amount
of time to file a formal written
“Response” with the court

15. If no Response is filed Petitioner
can ask for a default judgment

16. COMMON ISSUES IN A
DIVORCE

17. Assets and debts1
Kentucky is an “equitable
distribution” state

18. Assets and debts1
What that means is that if a court is
required to decide how assets of the
marriage are divided the court will decide
based on what is “equitable”, or fair

19. Assets and debts1
“Fair” does not always mean equal

20. Minor Children2
The court will consider the “best
interests of the child” when custody
and/or visitation are issues in a divorce

21. The court will typically order the
non-custodial parent to pay
child support to the parent with
custody of the children
Child/Alimony/Spousal Support3

22. Kentucky does allow spousal support
to be ordered in situations where it is
agreed to by the parties or when the
court finds it is warranted

23. CONCLUDING THE
DIVORCE

24. A divorce can be concluded
by an agreement reached by the
parties or through a trial

25. If the parties resolve the issues
outside of court a Marital
Settlement Agreement can be filed
with the court

26. MEDIATION may be used to help the parties
reach an amicable settlement agreement

27. At the end of the divorce
the court will enter a Decree
of Dissolution of Marriage

28. Learn More About Divorce
Process in Kentucky

29. Click to visit:
www.mmslawonline.com
Content provided by: Best Legal Practices