Your Rights as a Non-Custodial Parent in Kentucky

Not having primary custody of your child can feel heartbreaking. You may worry about missing out on milestones or being sidelined in decisions that matter. These are real fears, and they’re completely valid.

But here’s the good news: In Kentucky, being a non-custodial parent doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You still have important rights, and you still have a role to play in your child’s life.

Whether you’re just beginning the custody process or trying to make an existing arrangement work better, understanding your rights can help you stay connected and involved in meaningful ways.

What Does “Non-Custodial Parent” Mean?

The non-custodial parent is the one who does not have primary physical custody of the child. That doesn’t mean you’re uninvolved. Far from it.

In Kentucky, the law favors joint custody and shared parenting time whenever possible. So even if you’re not the primary custodial parent, you likely have scheduled parenting time and shared decision-making authority.

If you’re not seeing your child as much as you’d like or feel excluded from important decisions, it’s worth understanding exactly what your rights include.

Parenting Time: You Have a Right to It

One of the core rights non-custodial parents have is parenting time, which Kentucky law sees as essential for maintaining a meaningful relationship with your child. Unless a court finds that your involvement would pose a danger to the child, you are entitled to regular, scheduled time together.

Your parenting time is outlined in the custody order and may include weekends, holidays, summer breaks, and possibly mid-week visits. In most cases, Kentucky courts want both parents to stay actively involved in their child’s life, even if the child primarily lives with one parent.

If the custodial parent interferes with your scheduled time without a legal reason, you can ask the court to enforce the order or seek a modification.

Joint Custody Means Joint Decisions

Even as a non-custodial parent, you may share legal custody, which gives both parents equal input on big-picture decisions. That includes choices about education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.

Joint legal custody doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything. But it does mean both parents must be informed and involved. If you’re being left out of those decisions, the other parent may be violating your rights under the custody order.

Financial Support Does Not Erase Your Rights

You may be paying child support, but that does not limit your role or value as a parent. Too often, non-custodial parents feel reduced to a paycheck. That is not how Kentucky law sees it.

Child support and parenting time are separate legal issues. Even if you are behind on payments, you still have the right to see your child unless a judge has ruled otherwise.

If your financial situation has changed, it is better to request a court-approved modification than to fall behind.

You Can Seek a Custody Modification

Life doesn’t stay the same. If your custody arrangement no longer works for your child, you have the right to ask the court for a change. However, you will need to show that something meaningful has changed in your situation, and that updating the order would be best for your child.

Protect Your Role as a Parent

Being a non-custodial parent does not make you a secondary parent. Your involvement still matters deeply, both to your child and under the law.

At Hoffman Walker & Knauf, we help Kentucky parents protect their rights, resolve custody disputes, and maintain strong relationships with their children. Whether you are enforcing parenting time, seeking more access, or dealing with co-parenting issues, we are here to help.
Have questions about your rights? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.