Kentucky family-law guide · reviewed August 22, 2026
Kentucky Custody & Parenting Time
Current, source-linked Kentucky terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Legal information, not legal advice. Kentucky law and local practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the clerk of the Circuit Court receiving your case.
Kentucky terminology
Legal custody
The right to make major decisions (education, health, religion, activities).
Physical custody
Where the child lives.
Parenting time / timesharing
The time each parent spends with the child.
Best interests
The standard; decided on 11 factors in KRS 403.270(2).
Core rules
- Kentucky uses 'custody' (legal/physical, joint/sole) plus 'parenting time' / 'timesharing'
- Kentucky presumes joint custody AND equally shared parenting time (rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence) — first-in-the-nation presumption (KRS 403.270)
- If equal time is not warranted, the court maximizes each parent's time with the child
- The presumption does NOT apply if a domestic violence order has been entered (KRS 403.315)
- The court decides on 11 best-interest factors (KRS 403.270(2))
- Cases are heard in Circuit Court (Family Court division)
Support and modification cautions
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model (KRS 403.212). Custody modification has a 2-year restriction and needs a material change plus best interests; child support needs a substantial and continuing change (15% deviation). A parent with 73+ days of parenting time a year may earn a credit.
Official sources reviewed August 22, 2026
- KRS 403.270 — custody / best interests
- Kentucky Child Support Estimator
- Kentucky Court of Justice — self-help
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the clerk of the Kentucky Circuit Court handling your case.