Can I attend the adoption hearing virtually in Kentucky?

Whether you can attend your Kentucky adoption hearing virtually depends on the Circuit Court handling your case, so the Circuit Court clerk in your county is the one to ask. Kentucky has 120 counties, and each court sets up its own hearings. Check with the clerk before you count on appearing by video or phone.

How to find out for your case

• Call the Circuit Court clerk's office in the county where you will file, or ask when you file your petition.
• Ask whether the judge allows video or telephone appearances for adoption hearings, and whether you must file a written request to appear remotely.
• Ask whether the judge wants everyone in the courtroom or only certain people, such as you or your spouse.
• Ask what technology the court uses and how you would be given the link or dial-in details.

Questions worth asking about your family

• If you live out of state or far from the court: Kentucky has no waiting period for Kentucky residents, but non-residents need 12 months in the state (KRS § 199.470). If you are not currently in Kentucky, confirm with the clerk or an attorney how this applies to you before you plan around a remote hearing.
• If your child is 12 or older: Kentucky sets the age of 12 for a child's consent (KRS § 199.500). Ask the clerk whether the judge wants a child of that age in the courtroom or will allow a remote appearance.
• If the other parent's rights are an issue: Kentucky treats 3 months (90 days) of no contact as grounds to proceed on abandonment (KRS § 199.502). If your case involves this, or any dispute, ask the clerk or an attorney how the hearing will be handled and who must attend.

What else to expect

Kentucky waives the home study for stepparent adoptions (KRS § 199.473), so there is no home visit to schedule around. The court hearing is the last major step. Stepparent adoptions in Kentucky typically take 3-6 months. Court filing fees generally run $150-$300, and the total cost is typically under $1,000, compared with $3,000-$5,000+ with an attorney.

Plan for either option

Even if the court allows a remote appearance, many families like being in the courtroom for the finalization, since it is the day the adoption becomes official. If travel, military service, work or health make that hard, a remote appearance may help. Ask early so you can plan for either one. Some judges decide on a case-by-case basis, so a clear request made well before the hearing date gives you the best chance of getting an answer in time.

Where we fit in

StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your Kentucky county. You then file it yourself, without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child (or for one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child. Your court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, and we back them with a 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 501 Kentucky families, and more than 34,000 families nationally since 2001. For questions about your hearing, call the Circuit Court clerk. If your situation is complicated or contested, talk with an attorney.