Divorce is different than a legal separation under Kentucky law. While a divorce formally ends your marriage, a legal separation does not. However, a judge can issue court orders in a legal separation that govern issues like custody, visitation, and payment of debts. Divorce also differs from annulment, which is a court order declaring that a marriage never existed. Typically, an annulment is granted after a very short marriage, and before the parties have had children or accrued any marital property. There are are very specific requirements under Kentucky law in order for individuals to get an annulment.

AOC-15 Civil Summons – You may have to deliver this document, along with a copy of the Petition, to your local Sheriff’s Department for service. Sometimes, the Clerk’s office will have a box to deliver these documents to the Sheriff. Form #1A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage REDACTED Form #1A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage AOC-FC-3 Case Data Information Sheet REDACTED AOC-FC-3 Case Data Information Sheet VS-300 Certificate of Divorce or Annulment – You must print this form on thick resume-type paper that is 25% cotton bond and has a visible watermark. AOC-238/239 Simplified Verified Disclosure

Form 8 Motion to Proceed without Paying Costs (In Forma Pauperis) – You complete and file this form if you cannot afford to pay the filing fee to the court for a divorce. If you qualify for legal aid help, for instance, you may qualify for relief from the filing fee, as well. Form 9 Affidavit for Warning Order Attorney – You complete and file this form if you don’t know where your spouse lives or have a mailing address for him or her.

If you want provisional or preliminary orders, you should be sure to ask how you schedule such a hearing at the time you file your divorce papers with the court. The court may have an additional form for you to fill out or you may need to call back at a later date to schedule your preliminary hearing.

Address of any real estate and its value Mortgage statement showing the balance of the loan as of the date of separation Bank account statements Retirement account statements Listing of any valuable personal property and its value Statements showing the balances of any debts as of the date of separation

Proof of both spouses’ income through paycheck stubs or income tax returns Testimony about each spouses’ work history and income throughout the marriage

Wishes of the parents Wishes of the children The interaction of the children with their parents, siblings, and any other persons involved The children’s adjustment to home, school, and community The mental and physical health of all parties involved Any evidence or records of domestic violence

Form #2 Entry of Appearance and Waiver Form #3A Marital Settlement Agreement AOC 238. 3 Acknowledgement of Preliminary/Final Disclosure Statement Form #4 Deposition of Petitioner Form #5A Finding of Fact and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage Form #9 Motion for Final Decree

Form #6 Motion for Default Judgment Form #6 Decree of Dissolution of Marriage Form #4 Deposition of Petitioner

Make a list of all the legal issues that have to be addressed in your divorce. Write down what issues you and your spouse have agreed upon, if any. For the issues that you can’t agree on, write down what you want the judge to do about that issue. Be ready to back up your requests with written documentation, if needed. For instance, if you want your spouse to pay a certain debt, you’ll have to present a monthly statement from the date of your separation showing that you and your spouse owe the debt and how much is owed. Have a good explanation for everything that you are asking the judge to do. For example, if you want your spouse to pay a certain debt, you have to explain why