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Divorce prep · Kentucky
Divorce residency rules and where to file in Kentucky
To get a Kentucky divorce, one spouse must have lived in the state, or been stationed there in the armed services, for 180 days before filing. A Kentucky Circuit Court grants a dissolution when it finds the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- To get a Kentucky divorce, one spouse must have lived in the state, or been stationed there in the armed services, for 180 days before filing. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.140. Checked November 2, 2026
- A Kentucky Circuit Court grants a dissolution when it finds the marriage is irretrievably broken. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.140. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Kentucky, no divorce decree is entered until the spouses have lived apart for 60 days, which can include living under the same roof without sexual cohabitation. Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.170. Checked November 2, 2026
Official links
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Bank, retirement and debt statements
- Pay stubs and tax returns
- Household bills and expenses
- Home, car and property papers
- Agreements and court papers you have
- Messages sent to you
- Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for Kentucky
- How child support works in Kentucky
- Child custody and parenting plans in Kentucky
- How to get a copy of your divorce record in Kentucky
- Protective orders for domestic violence in Kentucky
- Divorce document checklist: the full guide
- Divorce residency rules and where to file: all states
Neighbouring states
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Missouri
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Ohio
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in Virginia
- Divorce residency rules and where to file in West Virginia
Questions
Where do these Kentucky facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.140; Kentucky Revised Statutes § 403.170. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in Kentucky or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for divorce prep?
A good start: Bank, retirement and debt statements; Pay stubs and tax returns; Household bills and expenses; Home, car and property papers; Agreements and court papers you have; Messages sent to you; Co-parenting log: dated handoff and visit notes. Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.