KENTUCKY // LEGAL HELP
Kentucky legal aid organizations, lawyer referral services, bar association resources, and how to find the right family law attorney for your case.
1. Appalachian Research & Defense Fund (ARDP) — Eastern KY, 37 counties
Website: ardfky.org
Phone: 1-866-452-3743
2. Kentucky Legal Aid (KLAP) — South-Western KY, 35 counties
Website: klaid.org
Phone: 1-866-452-3743
3. Legal Aid Society of Louisville — Jefferson County + surrounding
Phone: 1-502-584-1251
4. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass — Northern & Central KY, 33 counties
Website: lablaw.org
Phone: 1-859-478-2008
5. Kentucky Justice Online — statewide online self-help
Website: kyjustice.org
Kentucky Bar Association (KBA): kybar.org
Kentucky Lawyer Referral Service (KLRS): 1-502-583-1801 — free 30-minute initial consultation with a qualified attorney.
Louisville Bar Association: loubar.org
The KBA also offers a Modest Means Program for those who earn too much for legal aid but cannot afford standard attorney fees.
Kentucky has no formal state board certification for family law specialists. When choosing an attorney, look for:
Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal: kycourts.gov Self-Help Portal — A2J Guided Interviews for pro se litigants.
Legal Forms: kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms
Protective Order Booklet: P123 Protective Order Booklet (PDF)
National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
ZeroV (Kentucky statewide DV coalition): zerov.org
EPO/DVO filing: FREE at any Kentucky District Court
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Hourly rate: $200–$350/hr
Retainer: $2,000–$5,000 (contested custody/divorce)
Flat-fee uncontested divorce: $500–$1,500
Consultation: $150–$300
Costs vary by region — Louisville and Lexington tend to be higher than rural areas.
KY Child Support Calculator: kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov
CHFS Child Support: ag.ky.gov/Child-Support
Worksheet: CS-71 (available at kycourts.gov)
Payment system: Kentucky Way2Go Card (debit card). Wage withholding mandatory.
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