Hardin County Family Court

Family Court Judges:

Hon. Pamela K. Addington
Hon. M. Brent Hall 

Address:

Hardin County Justice Center
120 East Dixie
Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701

Mailing Address:

Hardin Family Court
Hardin County Justice Center
120 East Dixie
Elizabethtown, Ky. 42701

Phone Numbers:

Division 1:
270-766-5003 - Jane VanMeter,  Judicial Secretary
270-766-5293 - Donna Chaudoin, Court Administrator
270-766-5294 - Julie Denham, Social Worker
270-766-5295 - Carolyn Hatfield, Legal Assistant

Division 4:
270-766-5311 - Deanna Simcoe, Court Administrator; Jennifer Heller, Case Specialist; Melissa Stewart, Legal Assistant; Renita Preston, Judicial Secretary  

Fax Numbers:

270-765-5253 - Division 1
270-766-5296 - Division 1
270-766-5312 - Division 4 

From I-65 take exit 94. If exiting from I-65 northbound, turn left at the red light at the end of the exit. Go straight through six more red lights. At the seventh light which is the intersection of Highway 62 and Dixie Highway, turn left. Go 1/4 of the way around the square and veer right onto Main Street. Less than 1/4 of mile on the left you will see the Alltel building and a sign that says Hardin County Justice Center. Turn left in between the Alltel building and the sign which takes you into the Hardin County Justice Center parking lot.

If exiting from I-65 southbound turn right at the red light at the end of the exit. Go straight through five red lights. At the sixth red light which is the intersection of Highway 62 and Dixie Highway, turn left. Go 1/4 of the way around the square and veer right onto Main Street. Less than 1/4 of mile on the left you will see the Alltel building and a sign that says Hardin County Justice Center. Turn left in between the Alltel building and the sign which takes you into the Hardin County Justice Center parking lot.

Free parking is available behind Hardin County Justice Center.

*Emergency custody or detention hearings or other emergency matters may be scheduled any weekday at 8:30 a.m. or as otherwise set by the presiding Family Court Judge, within the statutory mandates, as the need arises. The Family Court Judge, at his or her discretion, can assign a special adjudication date on any weekday to promote judicial economy and for statutory compliance.

*Please be prepared to come 30 minutes prior to scheduled hearing times to conference case

*Fridays’ afternoon will be referred to as the “school docket”

Kid Zone is open during all times that Family Court is in session. All children going into Kid Zone are required to be accompanied by an adult.

In Kentucky, as in many other states around the nation, children are often involved either directly or indirectly in the legal battle to dissolve a marriage. Fulfilling a need for the Commonwealth's children caught in the middle of divorce, the Parents' Education Clinic program was established. Attending the Parent Education Clinic (PEC) is required for all parties divorcing in Hardin Family Court who have minor children. The Children's Education Clinic (CEC)is required for all children in Grades 1-8, as of August of any given year. There is a separate two-hour session for Grades 1-5 and for Grades 6-8. For the PEC, a $25.00 fee is payable in cash, money order, or cashier's check when you register. If in forma pauperis, you must bring the Order with you to the PEC. There is no charge for the Children's Clinic. After each session, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which must be filed with the Court. Please note, that the party attending the PEC must sign the bottom of the Certificate of Completion prior to filing. The Petitioner is responsible to insure the attendance of the children. An adult must register the child and pick the child up at the end of the session. Parents are not allowed to attend the Children's Clinic. Directed by trained professionals, the clinics last approximately two hours. The Parent's Education Clinics are held three times per month and the Children's Education Clinics are held one time per month. To obtain a copy of the schedule, please contact your attorney or if not represented by Counsel contact the Court. Attendance of the PEC and CEC is required prior to requesting a final hearing date be set in any divorce case.

In November, 2007, a Families in Transition Program was started in Hardin County.  Families in Transition offers parents and children, ages 5-17, a six hour educational program on how to effectively cope with the problems that result from divorce.  It helps parents respond appropriately to their child's divorce-related concerns.  It helps prevent or reduce divorce-related anxiety, aggression, depression and behavioral problems in children.  Presently, it is not mandatory for all divorcing couples in Hardin County, however, it is available for parties who may need extra skills in dealing with divorce, and the Court may order it in certain cases.  For more information contact Family Solutions LLC (270) 734-2158 or either court administrator.

Family Court in Hardin County was established in June 2004 when Division I of Circuit Court was converted into Family Court. Pamela K. Addington was subsequently appointed by Governor Fletcher as Hardin County's first Family Court Judge.

Since coming onto the bench in May, 2007, Judge M. Brent Hall has worked with AOC and the local school system to bring a Truancy Diversion Program (TDP) to Hardin County.  In early 2008, the first program was started at East Hardin Middle School.  In the fall of 2008, West Hardin Middle School was added.  It is Judge Hall's hope, to bring the TDP to every middle school in Hardin County.  The Truancy Diversion Program was created to assist students at risk of being charged with habitual truancy.  The TDP uses the team approach to help students develop good attendance habits and improve their overall school experience.