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You are facing something that will change your life. A divorce. A custody dispute. A decision about your children and your finances that will follow you for years. You are probably doing the research yourself because this matters too much to get wrong.
That instinct is right, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Straw-Boone Doheny Banks Mudd Catalano & McKinney, PLLC is an experienced Kentucky family law firm. Three of our partners hold Fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a selective credential held only by approximately 1,600 family lawyers nationwide. We have won recognitions and awards, and we combine our legal skill with compassion and personalized care for our clients. If you are looking for a trusted La Grange Family Lawyer, our team is prepared to provide the experienced guidance and dedicated representation you need.
We serve clients in La Grange and throughout Oldham County. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
We handle the full range of family law matters for individuals and families in La Grange and Oldham County. Every case is different. Some require aggressive litigation. Others are best resolved through negotiation or a collaborative process. We have the experience to know the difference and the skill to do both.
Kentucky is a no-fault divorce state. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken, with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. Neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. Even a divorce both spouses agree to in principle involves binding decisions about property, support, and children that will govern your life for years. Contested divorces can involve discovery disputes, expert witnesses, business valuations, and multi-day trials. Our attorneys have handled both ends of that spectrum, from straightforward uncontested matters to complex, high-asset litigation. We assess your situation clearly and build a strategy that fits it.
For custody matters, courts apply a best-interests-of-the-child standard. How many nights a week you have your children, who makes decisions about their school and healthcare, and whether one parent can relocate are all within the court’s authority. Those decisions are binding. Changing them later requires returning to court.
Kentucky follows equitable distribution, meaning the court divides marital property fairly based on the circumstances, not necessarily equally. Marital property includes income earned during the marriage, real estate acquired together, retirement account contributions made during the marriage, and most other assets accumulated after the wedding date. Business interests, professional practices, investment portfolios, and deferred compensation require careful valuation.
Kentucky child support is calculated using a statutory income shares model that considers both parents’ gross incomes, the parenting time schedule, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. The formula produces a presumptive amount, but courts can deviate from it when circumstances justify. We handle initial child support establishment, enforcement when payments are not being made, and modifications when income or parenting arrangements change.
Kentucky courts have broad discretion in awarding maintenance, considering the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, the standard of living established during the marriage, and the financial resources of both parties. There is no formula, which means the outcome depends heavily on how the case is prepared and argued.
A well-drafted prenuptial agreement defines how assets and debts will be treated if the marriage ends, protecting property each spouse brings into the marriage and business interests built before or during it. Postnuptial agreements serve the same function for couples who did not address these issues before marrying. For the agreement to hold up in court, it must meet specific requirements under Kentucky law, including full financial disclosure and independent legal review. We draft and review these agreements for clients who want clarity and protection before or during a marriage.
Kentucky courts can issue emergency protective orders quickly when there is an immediate safety concern. Those orders can restrict contact, determine temporary custody, and affect housing. We handle both the protective order process and the related La Grange family court proceedings that often follow.
Kentucky courts divide marital property equitably, which means fairly but not automatically 50/50. The court considers the length of the marriage, each spouse’s economic contribution, and the financial circumstances of both parties going forward. Separate property you owned before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance is generally not divided. Property that was separate but became commingled with marital funds during the marriage can become a contested issue. Getting the classification right from the start matters.
Oldham County Family Court applies a best-interests-of-the-child standard. Judges consider each parent’s relationship with the child, the stability of each home, the child’s adjustment to school and community, and each parent’s willingness to support the other’s relationship with the child. There is no automatic preference for either parent and no presumption in favor of the mother or father. The quality of the evidence and argument presented on your behalf directly affects the outcome.
You are not required to have an attorney. However, even uncontested divorces involve property rights, future support obligations, and parenting agreements that affect you for years. Mistakes in divorce agreements are difficult and expensive to fix after the fact.
Kentucky requires a 60-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. Most uncontested divorces resolve in three to six months. Contested cases involving complex assets, business valuations, or custody disputes can take longer, depending on the Oldham County court schedule and whether the parties reach agreement before trial. Starting with a clear strategy and organized documentation helps avoid unnecessary delays.
Whether your matter is a straightforward uncontested divorce or a complex, multi-asset custody dispute, we have the depth of experience to handle it at every stage.
The consultation is confidential. You will speak with an attorney, not a staff member, and leave with a realistic picture of what your case involves and what comes next. Reach out today to get started.
Tom Banks was fantastic as he navigated numerous complex and unique legal challenges in my fight to regain equal parenting time and joint custody. I have a mental health diagnosis where I was up against a lot of mental health stigma. Tom's interest and understanding of mental health helped him…
I have worked with Thomas Banks and have known him for over 15 years. I have personally witnessed the hours and care he pours into each case and have also seen the quantifiable results at the closing of those cases. Thomas Banks has the intelligence and talent, the dedication and…
Tom Banks is nothing less than a rockstar in his field! I would never have thought I would find myself in the position I was in. Mr. Banks went above and beyond to assure my child and I were safe, secure, and the legal matters handled professionally with honesty and…
I can honestly say this law firm lived up to everything that was promised. From the very beginning, Tom took the time to explain each step, answer every question I had, and made sure I felt prepared, supported, and safe throughout the process. Even when I felt overwhelmed, he was…
As a licensed private investigator, I am familiar with the court system. I know how this process should work, and I know what good lawyers look like. Thomas Banks and his team helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. My case took a week's worth of…
With deep roots in Louisville, you can trust our history of success. Our attorneys are adept at navigating the delicate balance between vigorous advocacy and the preservation of family harmony. If you are facing family law concerns, contact Straw-Boone Doheny Banks
Mudd Catalano & McKinney, PLLC.
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