Kentucky Divorce Cost Calculator

Filing a divorce petition in Kentucky costs $228 under the statewide fee schedule (some counties add local charges). Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from Kentucky's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Kentucky fees checked against official court sources on October 24, 2026.

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Do you have children under 18 together?
Do you and your spouse agree on everything?
How will your spouse get the divorce papers?

Leave blank if you are filing on your own. If a lawyer gave you an estimate of hours, enter it here.

Leave blank to use the Kentucky average of $271 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in Kentucky

  • Filing fee for the divorce petition Source$228
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form)$0
  • Court costs you pay$228

Also note: Counties that have adopted them add a court facilities fee of up to $25 and a library fee, so the total can be higher in some counties.

Court costs in Kentucky run from about $228 on the cheapest route to $288 or more on a contested case with sheriff service (court costs only, not lawyer fees).

An estimate from official fee schedules, not a bill. The fee your court clerk charges on the day you file is the one that counts. (October 24, 2026)

Kentucky divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in Kentucky costs $228 under the statewide fee schedule (some counties add local charges). (source)

  • Civil filing fee (Circuit Civil, effective 7/1/2026): $188
  • Access to Justice fee: $20
  • Court Technology fee: $20

Counties that have adopted them add a court facilities fee of up to $25 and a library fee, so the total can be higher in some counties.

The case is filed in the Kentucky Circuit Court or Family Court division (circuit court clerk).

Serving divorce papers in Kentucky

If your spouse is willing, ask the clerk about a form your spouse can sign to accept the papers, which avoids a service fee.

Service by the sheriff costs $60 (Statewide service-of-process fee listed in the AOC clerks' Accounting Manual ($70 in counties with a court facilities fee ordinance)). (source)

Fee waiver in Kentucky

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Motion to proceed without payment of costs, supported by the applicant's affidavit (KRS 453.190(3)) (KRS 453.190). A 'poor person' has income at or below 100% of the Supreme Court of Kentucky's sliding scale of indigency, or cannot pay the costs and fees without depriving themselves or their dependents of the necessities of life, including food, shelter, or clothing. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in Kentucky

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $271 an hour in Kentucky for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.

Without a lawyer, court costs in Kentucky run from about $228 on the cheapest route to $288 or more on a contested case with sheriff service.

What this page does not do

  • It does not file anything. Divorce cases are filed with the Kentucky Circuit Court or Family Court division (circuit court clerk).
  • It does not quote lawyer fees; it prices only the hours you enter.
  • It does not decide fee-waiver eligibility; the court does.
  • It is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a divorce in Kentucky?

Filing a divorce petition in Kentucky costs $228 under the statewide fee schedule (some counties add local charges). Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in Kentucky is $271 an hour.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Kentucky?

$228 under the statewide schedule. Counties that have adopted them add a court facilities fee of up to $25 and a library fee, so the total can be higher in some counties.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in Kentucky?

You can ask. File the Motion to proceed without payment of costs, supported by the applicant's affidavit (KRS 453.190(3)). A 'poor person' has income at or below 100% of the Supreme Court of Kentucky's sliding scale of indigency, or cannot pay the costs and fees without depriving themselves or their dependents of the necessities of life, including food, shelter, or clothing. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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