Reviewed August 2026
Court Hearings in Kentucky
Kentucky handles divorce, custody, and support through Family Court in counties where one exists, and through Circuit Court in the rest of the state, where a motion for temporary orders often triggers an early hearing. Kentucky's judiciary describes its Family Court model as One Family, One Judge, One Court. The same judge hears all the matters involving a particular family, from the divorce itself through custody, support, and related issues. A spouse who needs custody, support, or property arrangements decided before the case is final can ask the court for temporary orders while the divorce is pending. That interim decision holds things together for the family without waiting for a final decree. Kentucky has offered remote court proceedings statewide using Zoom since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first pushed courts to conduct hearings remotely. That capability has continued since. Kentucky has 120 counties, and Family Court divisions have expanded gradually since the model was first piloted in the 1990s.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how court hearings works under Kentucky law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Kentucky paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Requesting temporary orders
In a Kentucky divorce case, either spouse can ask the court to decide temporary orders while the case is pending. That includes temporary custody, parenting time, child or spousal support, or use of the marital home. Family Court jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage and related family matters comes from KRS 23A.100 and 23A.110. The temporary order stays in effect only until the court changes it or the case reaches a final decree. A request for temporary orders is often filed alongside the initial dissolution petition itself.
One Family, One Judge, One Court
Kentucky's Family Court divisions operate under what the state judiciary calls a One Family, One Judge, One Court approach. The same judge handles all the matters involving a particular family, including dissolution of marriage, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, and dependency and neglect cases. Not every Kentucky county has a Family Court division. In counties without one, Circuit Court handles these matters, sometimes with the help of a Domestic Relations Commissioner who hears certain motions and makes recommendations to the judge. Larger urban counties, including Jefferson County, were among the first to adopt the Family Court model statewide.
How temporary orders get scheduled
After a motion for temporary orders is filed and served, the court sets it for hearing according to that county's docket. Whether the county has a Family Court division or relies on Circuit Court affects the specific scheduling and hearing process. So does whether a Domestic Relations Commissioner is involved. Local rules of practice, adopted by individual judicial circuits, can also shape notice requirements and scheduling. Confirming the process with the circuit clerk in the filing county is the reliable approach. Some counties hold regular weekly motion hours dedicated to family law matters. Larger counties with a full Family Court division tend to have more predictable scheduling than smaller counties sharing a single circuit judge.
Remote hearings by Zoom
Kentucky's court system began conducting proceedings remotely in March 2020, when the pandemic limited in-person events. Zoom has continued as the state's primary videoconferencing platform for remote hearings since. Parties generally need a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone, along with reliable internet service, to participate. Phone access is also available. Whether a specific temporary orders hearing will be remote, in person, or hybrid depends on the county and the assigned judge. Parties should contact the circuit court clerk's office for login details and format confirmation. Some rural counties have kept remote options in place longer to reduce travel burdens.
What happens at a temporary orders hearing
A hearing on temporary orders is narrower than the final divorce hearing. The judge, or in some counties a Domestic Relations Commissioner making a recommendation to the judge, decides what should happen while the case is pending, not the whole case. Depending on the county and whether the request is contested, the hearing may involve limited testimony. The court may instead rule largely based on the motion, response, and supporting documentation. Common subjects are temporary custody and parenting time, temporary support, and use of the marital home. The resulting order stays in effect only until the court changes it or the case concludes with a final decree. Either party can later ask the court to revisit the order if circumstances change.
Sources: Kentucky Court of Justice, Family Court overview (One Family, One Judge, One Court; KRS 23A.100, 23A.110), Kentucky Court of Justice, Remote Court Information (Zoom, statewide since March 2020)
Not independently confirmed
- The specific statute governing temporary orders during a pending Kentucky divorce (commonly cited as KRS section 403.280) was not confirmed against a directly fetched copy of the statute for this page.
- Which specific Kentucky counties have a Family Court division versus relying on Circuit Court with a Domestic Relations Commissioner was not enumerated for this page; this varies by county.
- Whether remote hearings specifically apply to Family Court/temporary orders proceedings, as opposed to other case types, was not explicitly confirmed on the Remote Court Information page fetched for this page.
- Confirm whether Jefferson County was among the first Kentucky counties to adopt the Family Court model with the Jefferson County Family Court.
Court Hearings in Kentucky: frequently asked questions
What does One Family, One Judge, One Court mean in Kentucky?+
It describes Kentucky's Family Court model, where the same judge hears all the matters involving a particular family, including divorce, custody, support, and related issues, rather than splitting them across different judges or courts. Not every county has a Family Court division; some rely on Circuit Court instead.
What is a Domestic Relations Commissioner in Kentucky?+
In counties without a Family Court division, Circuit Court can appoint a Domestic Relations Commissioner to hear certain family law motions, including temporary orders requests. The Commissioner makes a recommendation to the judge, who then enters the final ruling.
How do I get temporary custody or support decided in a Kentucky divorce?+
You file a motion asking the court to decide temporary orders on the specific issue, such as custody or support, while the case is pending. Family Court jurisdiction over these matters comes from KRS 23A.100 and 23A.110. The order applies only until the case reaches a final decree.
Can I attend a Kentucky family court hearing by Zoom?+
Often, yes. Kentucky has offered remote hearings by Zoom statewide since March 2020, along with phone access. Whether a specific hearing is remote, in person, or hybrid depends on the county and judge. Contact the circuit court clerk's office for details.
How long does a temporary order last in a Kentucky divorce?+
It applies only while the case is pending, unless the court modifies it earlier. Once the court enters the final decree, the temporary order is replaced by whatever the decree provides for custody, support, and property.
Does every Kentucky county have a Family Court?+
No. Family Court divisions exist in many but not all counties. In counties without one, Circuit Court handles divorce and custody matters, sometimes with a Domestic Relations Commissioner assisting with certain motions.
This page is general information about court hearings in Kentucky, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Kentucky's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Kentucky. Virdix does not prepare or file Kentucky divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Kentucky.
More Kentucky divorce guides
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