What is Family Court like?

I get asked all the time what family court is like? Does it feel like a criminal court? Can I plead the fifth? Guilty or not guilty?

Family court in Kentucky is different than other courts and uses a case management system. It’s focused on one family, one judge, and one court.

According to Ky.gov,

“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 family. This reduces the stress that can arise when individuals are shuttled between courts to resolve a variety of issues.”

Additionally:

“Because Family Court gives cases involving families and children the highest priority, these cases do not compete with criminal and other civil cases for judicial time. As a division of Circuit Court, which is the highest trial court in Kentucky, Family Court employs full-time judges with the same qualifications as those who serve the other divisions of Circuit Court.”

Today, Family Court serves 3.2 million cities in 71 Kentucky counties.