How is a dissolution of marriage action commenced?
To initiate a dissolution action in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a party files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The initial document contains primary factual information regarding the parties and their minor children, if any, and their request for relief. In the Petition which is the initiating document filed with the Court, the party must allege the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no prospect for reconciliation between the parties. After the action is filed, the moving party must give notice to the other side. Notice is given in one of three ways – service of the Petition by the sheriff; service of the Petition by certified mail by the clerk of the county where the action was filed; or the other side executes a waiver of notice and entry of an appearance. It is usually after this process the party will, if needed, file motions for temporary relief with the Court. The motion may address various issues which include, but are not limited to custody, child support, m
