Family Court

Joseph E. Lambert
Chief Justice of Kentucky

Kentucky launched an innovative and ambitious project when the Jefferson County Family Court pilot program opened its doors in 1991. It was the first such court in Kentucky to focus solely on the needs of families and children. Family Court introduced a unique solution that would allow one judge to provide continuity by hearing all of a family's legal problems and issues. 

Under the leadership of Chief Justice of Kentucky Joseph E. Lambert, the Family Court model expanded beyond Louisville to suburban and rural areas across the commonwealth. The project's success prompted efforts to make Family Court a permanent part of the Kentucky Constitution. Kentucky voters gave Family Court a resounding victory in November 2002 when the amendment passed in all 120 counties with more than 75 percent of the vote.

Since the passage of the Constitutional Amendment, Chief Justice Lambert has felt a great responsibility to obey that mandate and go forward with family court expansion as rapidly as can be accomplished, consistent with budget limitations and sound management practices. Currently, Family Court is serving over two million people throughout 63 counties - more than half of Kentucky's population. Family Court will continue to expand into additional counties as financial resources become available. While 32 states have variations of this program, Kentucky's system is so progressive and successful that it is considered a national model.

Family Court gives cases involving families and children the highest priority, which means they do not compete with criminal and civil cases for judicial time. Family Court is a division of Circuit Court, Kentucky's highest trial court level, and employs full-time judges with the same qualifications as those who serve the other divisions of Circuit Court.

In addition to the family matters heard in Circuit Court, Family Court judges also handle other family law matters that were traditionally decided in District Court. Family Court jurisdiction is defined by KRS 23A.100 and 23A.110 and includes the following:

• dissolution of marriage
• spousal support and equitable distribution
• child custody, support and visitation
• paternity, adoption
• domestic violence
• dependency, neglect and abuse
• termination of parental rights
• runaways, truancy, beyond control
  

Family Court is involved in the most intimate and complex aspects of human nature and social relations. For that reason, Family Court uses a case management process that distinguishes it from other trial courts. With the One Family, One Judge, One Court approach, cases are presented in a single court, allowing the same judge to hear all matters involving a particular family. This reduces the stress that can arise when individuals are shuttled between courts to resolve a variety of issues.

Another benefit is that Family Court links families with a comprehensive social service system to provide additional services that the families may need. In addition to the judge, the Family Court staff includes a court administrator, a law clerk, a social worker and a judicial secretary. The entire staff receives training on the special needs of families. They arrange for a wide range of services that include mediation, anger management, counseling and education.

The community is invited to be part of the Family Court effort by participating with Family Court Councils. A Family Court Council is a multidisciplinary advisory group and may include judges, lawyers, social service providers, circuit court clerks, local officials, victim's advocates, school representatives and interested citizens.