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Free Divorce Papers
For Kentucky

Kentucky needs 180 days of residency and a 60-day wait — and the state's AOC-251 and AOC-252 forms are the only standardized set in the region.

Reviewed by our editorial team Based on official state court forms

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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms

Document Templates

Kentucky divorce template samples

Expand a template below to see exactly what's included before you fill it in.

Uncontested Divorce Sample See the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — Uncontested

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [1. County] COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Civil Action No: [2. Case Number]

[3. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [4. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [3. Petitioner Full Name], and files this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage against the Respondent, [4. Respondent Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Petitioner has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for at least one hundred eighty (180) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with KRS 403.140. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Dissolution

The marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, in accordance with KRS 403.170. The marriage should be dissolved.

Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Spousal Maintenance

The parties have agreed that spousal maintenance shall be as follows: [9. Spousal Maintenance Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) enter a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and spousal maintenance;
(c) restore Petitioner's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [11. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].

Contested Divorce Sample See how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — Contested

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [1. County] COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Civil Action No: [2. Case Number]

[3. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [4. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [3. Petitioner Full Name], and files this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage against the Respondent, [4. Respondent Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Petitioner has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for at least one hundred eighty (180) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with KRS 403.140. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Dissolution

The marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, in accordance with KRS 403.170. The marriage should be dissolved.

Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Petitioner requests that this Court divide the parties' marital property and debts equitably. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]

Spousal Maintenance

The parties are unable to agree on spousal maintenance. Petitioner requests that the Court award spousal maintenance in an amount and for a duration that is just, considering the factors set forth in KRS 403.200. Relevant facts include: [9. Spousal Maintenance Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) enter a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(c) award spousal maintenance as the Court deems just;
(d) restore Petitioner's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [11. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].

Uncontested Divorce with Children Sample See the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — Uncontested with Children

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [1. County] COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Civil Action No: [2. Case Number]

[3. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [4. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [3. Petitioner Full Name], and files this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage against the Respondent, [4. Respondent Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Petitioner has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for at least one hundred eighty (180) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with KRS 403.140. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].

There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Dissolution

The marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, in accordance with KRS 403.170. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Plan

The parties have reached a full agreement regarding custody and parenting time for the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under KRS 403.270. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]

Child Support

The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines (KRS 403.212). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]

Medical and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Spousal Maintenance

The parties have agreed that spousal maintenance shall be as follows: [17. Spousal Maintenance Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) enter a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' Parenting Plan regarding custody;
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' property and debt division;
(e) restore Petitioner's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [19. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].

Contested Divorce with Children Sample See how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — Contested with Children

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [1. County] COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Civil Action No: [2. Case Number]

[3. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [4. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [3. Petitioner Full Name], and files this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage against the Respondent, [4. Respondent Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:

Jurisdiction and Residency

Petitioner has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for at least one hundred eighty (180) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with KRS 403.140. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation].

There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Dissolution

The marriage is irretrievably broken, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, in accordance with KRS 403.170. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Time

The parties are unable to agree on custody or parenting time for the minor child(ren). Petitioner requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting time schedule in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under KRS 403.270. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]

Child Support

The parties are unable to agree on child support. Petitioner requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines (KRS 403.212). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]

Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Petitioner requests that the Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]

Spousal Maintenance

The parties are unable to agree on spousal maintenance. Petitioner requests that the Court award spousal maintenance as the Court deems just. Relevant facts include: [14. Spousal Maintenance Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) enter a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine custody and parenting time in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines;
(d) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(e) award spousal maintenance as the Court deems just;
(f) restore Petitioner's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [16. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [3. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].

At a Glance

Kentucky divorce at a glance

Residency requirement 180 days
Waiting period 60 days
Filing fee $148
Grounds accepted Irretrievable breakdown (no-fault)
Official forms AOC-251, AOC-252

Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.

Overview

Dissolution of marriage in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the states where the forms themselves define the process. The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (AOC-251) and the accompanying paperwork (AOC-252) come from the Administrative Office of the Courts, and almost every uncontested divorce in the Commonwealth runs through these standardized forms rather than attorney-drafted pleadings.

Eligibility takes 180 days of Kentucky residency, and after filing there is a 60-day waiting period before the court can enter the decree. The no-fault ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under KRS 403.170, and the state divides marital property equitably. Alimony is called maintenance, following the factors in KRS 403.200.

Child support follows the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines under KRS 403.212, and custody is decided under the best interests standard in KRS 403.270. Because the AOC forms are built for self-represented filers, most uncontested cases can be completed without a lawyer. The filing fee is about $148.

Official court source: Kentucky Court of Justice