Posts in Family Law

Grandparents play an essential role in many families throughout Kentucky. But when a grandchild’s parents file for a divorce or separate, such an event can affect the relationship between the child and the grandparents. Read to learn about grandparent visitation rights in Kentucky. We have a keen interest in cases located in Warren County, Kentucky, as well as those...

Adopting a child is an incredibly meaningful experience, but it can also be quite challenging. If you’re in Kentucky looking to adopt, the process may seem intimidating at first. There are, after all, many legal requirements involved, not to mention all the paperwork. However, preparing for adoption does not have to be confusing or overwhelming. We offer you this...

Children are involved in one of the most complicated aspects of divorce. Custody and visitation can have lasting effects on a family, especially on children who are still in the formidable years of their development. Criminal or behavioral actions may lead to the termination of parental rights. The court’s goal in awarding parental or custodial rights is always to place...

We have a keen interest in cases located in Warren County, Kentucky, as well as those in its vicinity. Can You Legally Adopt Your Stepchild? After getting married (or remarried) to someone with children, you may be wondering if you can adopt your stepchildren. In Kentucky, you can adopt your stepchild if you have: If you are adopting a...

When considering adoption, many people wonder, Do you have to be married to adopt a child? The answer is straightforward in Kentucky: you do not have to be married to adopt. Kentucky law allows married couples and single individuals to adopt a child. Whether you are a single individual or a married couple, navigating the legal intricacies of adoption...

The default goal under Kentucky family law is to give both parents rights to reasonable visitation with their children. But what if you believe that allowing your child to have visitation with their other parent might be harmful? Can a parent with sole custody deny visitation? Can a legal guardian deny visitation? Yes, a parent, guardian, or custodian may...

We have a keen interest in cases located in Warren County, Kentucky, as well as those in its vicinity. Unmarried Fathers Rights in Kentucky In Kentucky, if a child is born outside of marriage, the biological mother is automatically the legal custodian. Unmarried fathers don’t have initial custody rights but can pursue them through legal action. Paternity can be...

Being a single parent is difficult. There are obvious challenges with scheduling, spending time with the kids, supporting the home, and so on. When you are co-parenting, there are other concerns as well. You may be uncomfortable leaving the kids alone with their other parents. Some parents who share custody can stay unified with their decisions and child-rearing philosophy....

Are you going through a divorce in Kentucky? The emotional toll is heavy, and financial concerns can add another layer of stress. One of the biggest questions on your mind is likely this: How much does a divorce attorney cost? Several key factors influence the cost of hiring a divorce attorney in Kentucky. We discuss those factors below.  Understanding...

Most parents want their child to grow up in a healthy and loving environment. As such, sometimes this means changing child custody in order to adapt to the needs of the child or parents in the dynamic.  Child custody is either determined by a married couple or the court system. In Kentucky, the courts are required to refer to...

Finding an attorney is easy enough in the age of Google. But when you need a family lawyer, not just anyone will do. To begin your search, you must understand how to find a good family lawyer. Once you know more about what makes a good attorney, you still need to narrow down how to choose a family law...

When legal issues arise within the family, you turn to a family lawyer. But what does a family law attorney do? Family lawyers handle all types of legal issues that affect the family, primarily spousal and parent-child relationships. Although family lawyers often provide services when families are splitting apart, we are also delighted to help when families are growing....

As a parent, the subject of child custody can be difficult to navigate. No matter how amicable parents are at the end of the relationship, disputes can easily arise. Many issues like visitation schedules and decision-making powers can put you at odds. Both parents should learn the common causes of child custody disputes. Doing so will help them recognize...

If you’re one of the millions of single parents or divorcees who are paying child support, you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the cost. Generally, child support is meant to be an affordable, reasonable expense. In the best cases, it shouldn’t cost more than it would to support them if you lived in the same home. Many who...

Some old clichés are true. For example, you “marry the whole family” after the wedding. Many stepparents will confirm this idea, as they are suddenly thrust into parenting roles after getting married. Blood is not always thicker than water. The relationship between a child and their stepparent can be just as genuine as any parent/child relationship. This fact causes...

People who go through a divorce often have no other experience with the legal system. Suddenly entering that world can be confusing, and it’s easy for these people to get lost. Simply keeping up with the legal jargon can be frustrating. Terms and phrases that lawyers throw around every day can easily over the layperson’s head. Terms as simple...

Most people will experience a life event over the course of their career that forces them to need time off work. In these circumstances, employers in Kentucky are required to follow the rules laid out in the Family and Medical Leave Act. This is a federal law granting eligible employees the ability to take unpaid, job-protected leave from work...

Contrary to popular belief, most family law cases are resolved outside of court. There are many advantages to doing so, including the fact that your private information is kept private, and that you have more control over the outcome of your case. If you are considering an alternative method to litigation, you are fortunate as there are many methods...

If your spouse refuses to play fair during a divorce, you might notice what are called “dirty divorce tactics.” These include actions that are manipulative, hurtful, frustrating, and embarrassing. If this is the case, you should contact a lawyer immediately to help you create a strategy to protect yourself in the event your spouse continues with this behavior.  Common...

One of the first steps of filing for a divorce is considering whether you will pursue a contested or uncontested divorce. A contested divorce is a divorce where a couple cannot agree on some or all the terms put in place in the divorce agreement. These terms cover everything from spousal support and child custody matters to asset and...

How to Manage a Co-Parenting Schedule This Holiday Season The holiday season is typically full of festive activities for the entire family to enjoy, including families whose parents have recently divorced or separated. While the holiday season may seem daunting to those parents that are navigating such a transition in their lives, it does not have to be. Plus,...

Spousal maintenance, or spousal maintenance, is based on several factors. Duration and allotment will depend entirely on the circumstances of each case. Ultimately, the court will make a decision based on the most desirable outcome for those involved. Maintenance Orders After a spouse has filed for dissolution of marriage or legal separation in Kentucky, they can file for maintenance....

Divorce can be a complicated process even in the best of circumstances, and perhaps the most challenging part is deciding how to move forward as a family. On that note, telling your children about your decision to divorce is one of the most painful conversations you may ever have with them. Especially for younger children who may not understand...

Adoption is a lengthy and costly process. Private domestic adoptions in Kentucky can cost up to $50,000 on average and can take several years to finalize. Whether you are looking into a domestic adoption or an international one, the legal element can be confusing at best. Adoption attorneys and family lawyers can offer a great deal of support. Ultimately,...

The divorce process is inherently emotional and, regardless of who initiated it, it is still a difficult experience. Given the sensitive nature of this process, it is easy for spouses to make terrible mistakes, which can potentially reverberate throughout a family’s life for many years to come. The best thing you can do to avoid making a preventable misstep...

The divorce process can be potentially long and grueling. You may feel lonely, defeated, and doubt your worthiness of love. While getting back into the dating scene can certainly give you the boost you are looking for, the benefits are usually short-lived, but the damage may reverberate throughout your life for some time to come. Therefore, you should wait...

No one wants to pay spousal support longer than they should, especially if their financial circumstances worsened, making the court order impractical. Thankfully, family courts understand that life continually changes and some of these changes are substantial enough to warrant a reduction in spousal support payments. Before taking the matter to court, you can discuss it with your former...

Social media is incredibly ubiquitous these days and, for many, it is a necessary part of everyday life due to its unique ability to keep people connected. However, if you are going through a divorce, you might want to consider taking a temporary hiatus until the process is finalized. The information you share online, no matter how benign it...

The aim of the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA) is to provide consistency and clarity to all documents spouses may create. It places a particular emphasis on agreements that waive or modify rights that would otherwise materialize during marriage dissolution or the death of one spouse. The UPAA states that both parties should be allowed to create mutually agreed...

If you are divorced and have to attend your first parent-teacher conference since your separation, it can be a bit awkward if you and your ex are still uncomfortable around one another or you aren’t on speaking terms. Staying up to date with your child’s academic progress is a critical part of their overall development, which is why you...

Are you interested in adopting a child? Are you worried you need the father’s consent to legally adopt? Continue reading our blog to find out what you need to know about adopting a child in Kentucky. What Are the Consent Requirements for Adopting a Child? If you want to adopt a child, but the natural father has not given...

Your divorce will impact every major aspect of your life. From financial issues to the emotional stress of having to dispute things like child custody and alimony, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the entire process. If you have valuable assets, property, and children, you will likely need help from a team of professionals to keep your...

Divorce can strain the relationship between parents and their children. However, it’s important to remember that divorce and separation is much harder for the kids to go through than it is for the parents. If you want to keep your children’s worlds from turning upside down after your divorce or separation, you will need to make extra efforts to...

There are many different horror stories out there about people who have had their credit ruined in their divorce. From wives maxing out their husband’s credit cards to husbands who have squandered the life savings on a gambling debt, there are all sorts of things that can happen during your divorce that can adversely impact your credit. Some of...

When you’re thinking about getting a divorce, it is important to also consider how your separation will affect custody of your children. Will your children be living with you? Will they live far away from the other parent? Who will be responsible for child support and health insurance for your kids? If you and your ex-spouse are on decent...

Parental alienation happens when one parent attempts to psychologically manipulate a child into showing unwarranted fear, disrespect, or hostility towards the other parent. For parents involved in a complicated divorce, parental alienation can become a serious problem that might affect the result of their case. Often, children who are manipulated by a parent are coached and taught behaviors that...

Perhaps the biggest misconception about child custody cases is that there is a “winner” and a “loser.” In reality, courts are very hesitant to award sole custody to one parent, and instead will strive to form a co-parenting plan in which both parents take an active role in the child’s life. Still, there are many mistakes that you can...