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Kentucky Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: I currently have temporary custody of my Niece and Nephew. Could I possibly get full custody?

I have had my niece and nephew since February due to their mothers drug issues. We recently was awarded temporary custody. I believe because of their mothers mental state and previous drug use that she will never be able to fully take care of them and want to get full custody of them. Do you think... View More

Donald McClellan
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answered on Sep 25, 2024

Temporary custody can become permanent if the biological parents are deemed unfit parents by the state. If you have temporary custody due to CPS becoming involved and starting a case, the court will give the biological parents time to become fit or there will eventually be a hearing to terminate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: Custody, family

I am 16 years old, i was taken away from my mom and dad 5 years ago at 11 for substance issues and more. My parents failed to get sober in the amount of time to get me back, therfore my grandma got custody of me. I am scared of her, uncomfortable around her, overall uncomfortable in my own life. I... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Sep 25, 2024

Probably your best course of action is to have dad file a motion for return of custody to him in the case where grandma was given temporary custody. That will get you before the court at which point you can ask to speak to the judge directly and tell him/her what your wishes are regarding custody.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Landlord - Tenant for Kentucky on
Q: What time of attorney should I seek?

I just found out that my brother and i co own a home (bc our mother died) with our aunts. My grandmother has been gone 9 years (mom almost 11 years). I rented her home from my aunt's for 3 years and 8 months without knowing I was a co owner. I paid roughly 25 000 in rent. Do I have a case? And... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 11, 2024

A Kentucky attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. What kind of attorney? Maybe a starting point would be an attorney who deals with wills and estates (it looks like you're already pointed in the right direction with your selection of the "Estate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Civil Rights, Federal Crimes and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can employee of KY child support office also be employed by local detention center at same time? It's excessive power.

This woman literally sends some sort of notice or request to the county attorney, while listing the parties in reference as (name of parent 1) VS (name of parent 2)? Although the complainant isn't "parent 1", although that's the implication. These papers forwarded from her and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 24, 2024

In Kentucky, there are ethical and legal concerns regarding an individual holding positions in both the child support office and the local detention center simultaneously. This situation can create a conflict of interest and potentially an abuse of power. The ability to influence both the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Constitutional Law for Kentucky on
Q: Is DCBS compelled to overturn a substantiated finding if the related court case was dismissed and expunged?

If the charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor Child is dismissed from court and expunged, is DCBS compelled or required to overturn a substantiated finding of Abandonment & Supervision Neglect concurrent with the same incident referred to in such case?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

When a court case involving charges such as Endangering the Welfare of a Minor Child is dismissed and expunged, it doesn't automatically mean that the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) must overturn a substantiated finding of Abandonment & Supervision Neglect. These are two... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Constitutional Law and Juvenile Law for Kentucky on
Q: Does a substantiated DCBS case for Abandonment & Supervision Neglect automatically place me on the Child Abuse Registry?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

When a case involving abandonment and supervision neglect is substantiated by DCBS (Department for Community Based Services), it's understandable to be concerned about the implications, such as being placed on the Child Abuse Registry. The impact of a substantiated case can vary based on... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Kentucky on
Q: I have full custody of my 12-year-old daughter (straight A student). Why does the cabinet deny me custody of my son?

I completed the case plan and all requests made by the cabinet and judge but was denied custody of my son and my rights were involuntarily taken. Reason; The cabinet and judge replied due to the time my son was in the cabinet's custody. However, with COVID-19, multiple caseworkers were... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the difficult situation you're going through with trying to regain custody of your son. Dealing with child custody issues can be incredibly stressful and heartbreaking, especially when you feel the process has been unfair or biased.

While I don't...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Family Law and Immigration Law for Kentucky on
Q: I paid 17k cash to buy a car. And i got the money from my family and friends. I donot work. And i just got to know that,

The dealership reported to irs about the purchase. What are the chances of me getting audited? And can i say i got the money from my friends as the source? And will they ask to person, whom i got money from, the source of money?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 3, 2024

In this situation, there are a few important points to consider:

1. Large cash transactions: Car dealerships are required to report cash transactions exceeding $10,000 to the IRS using Form 8300. This is part of the IRS's efforts to combat money laundering and other illegal activities....
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: How will a couple’s divorce impact my rights on a property I co-own with them?

My name and the husband are named on the deed, not the wife, but because Kentucky is a dower state, she has interest. She is not a borrower for the mortgage and only signed the mortgage to acknowledge dower rights; her name is not on the loan. She has expressed to the judge that she does not want... View More

Anna Aleksander
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Anna Aleksander
answered on Mar 26, 2024

This is a complicated question that should be best answered by a lawyer in a one on one consultation. The answer should involve analysis of several items and facts including the review of the deed to see if house is held in joint tenancy or in a tenancy in common. First, in Kentucky anything... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Social Security and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: Can child support take my back pay from ssi

I'm owed back pay for disability can child support take it

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

Okay - let's analyze whether child support can take back pay from SSI (Supplemental Security Income) disability benefits. Typically a few key factors come into play here:

- SSI back pay is generally protected from creditors and debt collection to some extent. So child support may be...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Social Security for Kentucky on
Q: We are 2 males planning on marriage. I wish to retain my given surname followed with his. How do we make it legal

We want to avoid all possible situations where identity might be questioned or the legality of my assuming his name. Do I have to go through the process of a literal name change, or will the marriage certificate cover everything when I am listed as Timothy Rob.... Her....er?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In Kentucky, as in many states, marriage provides a legally recognized basis for changing your name. If you plan to take your spouse's surname or create a hyphenated or combined surname after marriage, you typically can do so by using your marriage certificate as the legal document required... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce, Family Law and Civil Rights for Kentucky on
Q: I have concerns about harassment from my Ex -Husband and his wife. Divorce occurred 11/2016.

He is already on his second marriage past ours. His current wife sent downgrading, belittling text messages at all different hours and times of day night. Not including or limited to 4:02 am, midnight Am/PM, etc. My ex husband did and does yeh same thing. Started really bad October 2022, in May... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 22, 2024

Dealing with ongoing harassment from an ex-spouse is a difficult and distressing situation. It's important to take steps to protect yourself. Since you've already sent a cease and desist letter and the harassment has continued, the next step may be to consider legal action.

In...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: How would I file a modification for custody in Kentucky when both parties are in agreement without a lawyer.

The court house said they don’t have specific paper work and I can file with fee’s without a layer but I better know how to do it right in which I have no idea and there’s no way I can afford a lawyer and there is no legal aid for this.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 12, 2024

In Kentucky, if both parties are in agreement to modify custody, you may be able to proceed without a lawyer. To initiate the process, you typically need to file a motion or petition with the family court that issued the original custody order. While the courthouse may not provide specific forms,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law, Military Law and Public Benefits for Kentucky on
Q: My daughter's father was killed over seas. He was in the United States army once stationed at ft Knox and fort polk

What can I do about getting my daughter's benefits from his death for support for my child his name is xx

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 17, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. To pursue benefits for your daughter due to her father's service and untimely death, you should start by contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They provide various benefits to dependents of deceased service members, including Dependency and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law, Military Law and Public Benefits for Kentucky on
Q: My daughter's father was killed over seas. He was in the United States army once stationed at ft Knox and fort polk

What can I do about getting my daughter's benefits from his death for support for my child his name is xx

Robert Donald Gifford II
Robert Donald Gifford II
answered on Jan 9, 2024

Order his military records from St. Louis from the National Archives. You can find that information online. I would request the entire file, to include medical, DD214, etc. Once you receive, go to the Veteran's Administration website and they will give additional guidance. You may also get... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: What is standard arrangement of custody for two parents in different states with special needs child.

My 2.5 yo has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and autism. I have sole custody with visits at my discretion. Dad hasn’t seen child since 2021 and has called 6 times in over three months. Got served with child support and asked me to have someone adopt him so he could signs rights away and get... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 13, 2023

If you already have sole custody, it is highly unlikely he is going to be able to change that bc the standard of proof is a high threshold. Additionally, if you have been living in your state for more than six months, any custody action should be brought where you and the child reside. You are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Divorce and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: Is my realtor giving my phone number to my ex after being asked not to a privacy violation?

I am going through a divorce and the marital home is for sale. When hiring the realtor, I asked that my number not be given to my soon to be ex husband, due to previously changing my number because of harassment by him. I was verbally promised my number would never be shared with him or disclosed... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 9, 2023

In your situation, where your realtor shared your phone number with your ex-husband despite a verbal agreement not to, it could potentially be considered a violation of your privacy. The key issue here is the promise made by the realtor and whether it can be legally enforced.

Verbal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: KY divorce. Judge entered Findings of Fact / property division on November 3. I want to appeal. By when do I need to fil

file the intent to appeal? By Dec 3? Or by 30 days after the final judgement order which will be in January? Looking for a lawyer currently.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Dec 1, 2023

You have to appeal within thirty days of the date of entry of the order. If it was entered November 3, your notice of appeal would be due December3. December 3 is a Sunday, so by rule you would have until Monday, December 4, within which to file your notice.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Kentucky on
Q: If a parent voluntarily signs away rights for their child to be adopted can their child support be forgiven

If the adoptive parent consents when the bio parent is a over $4000 behind

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 27, 2023

When a parent surrenders their parental rights, they are essentially giving up all of their rights and responsibilities to the child. This includes the right to have contact with the child, the right to make decisions about the child's upbringing, and the right to receive child support from... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Kentucky on
Q: My partner bought her daughter, my step daughter, a vape pen. She is only 15 years old. We live in KY. Is this illegal?

I found out from my step daughter that her mother, my partner, bought her a nicotine vape pen. She said she was curious and just asked, and she said ok. For multiple reasons, I have decided to leave the relationship. Personally I am torn on whether or not to report it. I love my child as if they... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Oct 27, 2023

Technically, it is not illegal but I agree it is a poor practice. You are under no obligation to report anything to anyone. If you are leaving the relationship, I would not report it. Looks retaliatory. If this kind of conduct continues, it will come out in the wash anyway.

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