Family Law

When parents separate or divorce, one of the first questions is often how much time each parent will spend with their child. Kentucky courts may establish a parenting-time or visitation schedule that sets out when the child stays with each parent, including weekends, holidays, school breaks, and other periods. There is no single visitation schedule…

When a parent stops communicating with a child or no longer provides care or support, it can raise serious concerns about abandonment. But under Kentucky law, a parent does not automatically abandon a child simply because they are absent or have limited contact. Kentucky addresses abandonment in several different legal contexts. It can be relevant…

If the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) opened a Child Protective Services (CPS) case involving your family but never filed anything in court, you may be wondering what that means. Does the case still exist? Can CPS come back? Will the investigation affect your custody case? The answer depends on what happened…

If you and your partner have lived together for years, share a home and finances, and consider yourselves a committed couple, you may wonder whether Kentucky considers you legally married. The short answer is no. Kentucky does not recognize common-law marriages formed within the state. This distinction can become important when couples separate, divide property,…

When a marriage is coming to an end, there are many decisions to make about finances, property, children, and the future. For many couples in Kentucky, one of the most useful tools during the divorce process is a separation agreement. But is one required, and should you have one? The answer depends on your circumstances….

There isn’t a more stressful situation than for a parent or caregiver to find out that Child Protective Services (CPS) is investigating their family. CPS investigations occurring in Boone County are typically handled by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).  While it’s a challenging experience, learning about what a CPS investigation is like…

Establishing paternity in Kentucky is a legal process that defines unmarried fathers’ parental rights, responsibilities, and the future of their child. If an unmarried father does not have legally recognized paternity, he will not have enforceable custody or visitation rights, even if he is meaningfully involved in the child’s life.  Understanding how paternity works –…

Long-term care costs can deplete a family’s assets rather quickly, especially nursing home care. Many Kentuckians worry about losing their family home to pay for Medicaid-covered care, particularly because it is the largest asset at risk.  In this article, we will explore protecting your home from long-term care costs in Kentucky as you plan for…

In Kentucky, family law disputes, such as divorce, child custody, and support, often involve mediation for an efficient resolution. Mediation allows both parties to resolve disputes in a collaborative way, with the help of a neutral mediator.  When opting for mediation, confidentiality is not to be underestimated – it is a crucial aspect of the…