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Legal Hotline United States Kentucky

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Need a Lawyer in Kentucky Right Now? Call Free Before the Clock Runs Out

It's late, something's gone wrong, and you can't reach a lawyer in Louisville or Lexington until Monday. Call our free Kentucky Legal Hotline at 1-844-690-0555 — 24/7, no income test, no callback form. Speak with an AI legal assistant trained on Kentucky and federal law for plain-English information now, from Northern Kentucky to Bowling Green to Paducah. If you need representation, we'll book a Kentucky-licensed attorney. Legal information, not legal advice.

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Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Kentucky.

Need legal help in Kentucky right now?

If you need help in Kentucky tonight, call 1-844-690-0555 now — it's free and answered 24/7. If you've been arrested, say nothing to police beyond identifying yourself and ask for a lawyer; if you can't afford one, the Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender runs a 24/7 line at 502-574-3800. If someone is in danger, dial 911, then ask the District Court in your county about an Emergency Protective Order (EPO) — there's no filing fee and a judge can act the same day. Injured in a crash? Kentucky often gives you just one year to sue — don't wait. Our hotline gives you plain-English legal information about your Kentucky situation right now, then connects you to a licensed attorney if you want one. No attorney-client relationship is formed by calling.


Choose your area of law in Kentucky


How it works

1
Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7 — from anywhere in Kentucky, no form, no income test, no waiting for a callback.
2
Talk through your situation with our AI legal assistant trained on Kentucky and federal law. You get clear legal information in plain English — not legal advice.
3
If you want a lawyer, we book you a paid consultation with a Kentucky-licensed attorney. You choose whether to take that step.

The law in Kentucky

Kentucky runs a unified, four-tier Court of Justice, and knowing where your case lives changes everything. District Court is the limited-jurisdiction trial court — it handles misdemeanors, traffic, DUI, small claims up to $2,500, juvenile matters, will probate, and the EPOs and protective orders that often matter most in a crisis; District judges serve four-year terms. Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction: felonies, capital cases, larger civil disputes, and divorce, custody and support under KRS Chapter 403. Many counties run a dedicated Family Court division inside Circuit Court. Above them sits the Court of Appeals — 14 judges who sit in 3-judge panels — and the Supreme Court of Kentucky, seven justices in Frankfort. Death-penalty cases and sentences of 20 years or more skip the Court of Appeals and go straight to the Supreme Court.

The big urban courthouses are the Louis D. Brandeis Hall of Justice in Louisville (Jefferson Circuit and District Court, 600 W. Jefferson St) and the Fayette County courts on North Limestone in Lexington. Northern Kentucky cases run through the Kenton County Justice Center in Covington and the Boone County Justice Center in Burlington; Bowling Green, Owensboro and the other metros each have their own judicial centers. Federal matters split between the U.S. District Court for the Western District (headquartered in Louisville, with Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah divisions) and the Eastern District (headquartered in Lexington, with divisions including Covington, Ashland, London, Pikeville and Frankfort).

The rules that govern your case are the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) — Chapter 413 on time limits, Chapter 304 for the no-fault auto Act, Chapter 532 for sentencing, Chapter 431 for expungement, Chapter 403 for family law — alongside the Civil and Criminal Rules (CR and RCr) and the Supreme Court Rules (SCR). Lawyers themselves answer to the Rules of Professional Conduct in SCR 3.130. None of this is meant to make you an expert at midnight; it's why a free first call helps you understand which court, which clock, and which statute actually applies to you before you make a move. Our hotline gives you that legal information, then books a Kentucky-licensed attorney if you decide you need one.

Court Hierarchy

  • District Court — misdemeanors, traffic, DUI, small claims to $2,500, EPOs, probate
  • Circuit Court (with Family Court divisions) — felonies, larger civil disputes, divorce
  • Court of Appeals — 14 judges, 3-judge panels
  • Supreme Court of Kentucky — 7 justices, Frankfort
  • Federal: U.S. District Court, Western (Louisville) & Eastern (Lexington/Covington)

Key Legislation

  • KRS 413.140 — one-year personal injury limit
  • KRS Chapter 304.39 — no-fault Motor Vehicle Reparations Act / PIP
  • KRS 532.080 — Persistent Felony Offender (PFO) enhancement
  • KRS 431.073 — felony expungement
  • KRS Chapter 403 — dissolution, custody, support

Key Bodies

  • Kentucky Court of Justice (kycourts.gov)
  • Kentucky Bar Association — Office of Bar Counsel (502-564-3795)
  • Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender — 502-574-3800
  • Four regional legal-aid programs (Legal Aid Society, KLA, LABG, AppalReD)

Kentucky's One-Year Injury Clock Is Among the Shortest in the Country

Most states give injury victims two to four years to sue. Kentucky gives you ONE — KRS 413.140 sets a one-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, among the shortest in the nation. Car crashes get a narrow break: KRS 304.39-230 allows two years, running from the wreck or your last no-fault PIP payment, whichever is later. Miss the deadline and a rock-solid case can be worth nothing. Tolling can extend it for minors (until age 19), incapacity, or late-discovered injuries — but you can't assume any of that applies to you. That's exactly why a free call helps: tell us what happened and when, and we'll give you plain-English information on which clock is ticking before it runs out.


Free & low-cost legal help in Kentucky

If you can't afford a lawyer, Kentucky has real free help — though most of it is income-tested, civil-only, and slower than a phone call. Four regional legal-aid programs divide the state by geography, the Court of Justice runs a self-help portal that fills out court forms, and there's a 24/7 public-defender line for criminal cases. Our hotline is the no-strings first step: free, instant, 24/7, all areas of law. Here are the established Kentucky resources worth knowing, especially if your matter is civil and your income qualifies.

Free civil legal help for low-income people across 15 counties in and around Louisville, including Jefferson, Hardin, Bullitt, Nelson, Oldham and Meade. Office at 416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Suite 300, Louisville. Apply: 502-584-1254 or 800-292-1862.
Free civil legal services across south-central and western KY since 1977 — offices in Bowling Green, Madisonville, Owensboro and Paducah. Apply: 270-782-5740 or 877-782-4219.
Serves 33 counties across northern and central/eastern KY including Fayette (Lexington), Kenton, Boone and Campbell. Covington office at 104 E. 7th St. Intake: 859-431-8200.
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund — free civil legal aid for 37 eastern and south-central Appalachian KY counties (Pikeville, Hazard, Prestonsburg, Richmond). Central intake: 1-866-277-5733.
Official state portal with A2J Guided Interviews that fill out court forms for uncontested divorce, custody, support, small claims, name change, expungement, and protective orders (EPO/DVO/IPO).
ABA-run virtual clinic where income-eligible Kentuckians post civil legal questions answered free by KY-licensed pro bono attorneys. Online only — no calls, no court representation.
The KBA's lawyer locator and referral information; call the KBA at 502-564-3795. Local lawyer-referral services exist too, such as the Louisville Bar Association's service at 502-583-1801.
For those who cannot afford counsel in a criminal case — 24/7 answering service at 502-574-3800.

Legal Hotline covers all of Kentucky

Wherever you are in Kentucky, the line is free and answered 24/7 — including:

LouisvilleLexingtonCovington & Northern KentuckyBowling GreenOwensboroFrankfortPaducahElizabethtownRichmondHopkinsville

Frequently asked questions — Kentucky

I got arrested in Kentucky tonight — what do I do right now?

Stay calm and say as little as possible. Beyond identifying yourself, you don't have to answer questions — ask for a lawyer and stop talking. If you can't afford one, the Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender runs a 24/7 line at 502-574-3800, and every county is served by a public defender. Misdemeanors are arraigned in District Court; felonies head to Circuit Court. If you have a prior felony, ask about PFO exposure under KRS 532.080 early — it can sharply raise your sentence. Call our free hotline at 1-844-690-0555 for plain-English information on what comes next, any time. It's information, not legal advice.

How long do I have to sue after an injury in Kentucky?

Often just one year — KRS 413.140 sets a one-year limit for most personal injury claims, one of the shortest in the country. Car accidents are the key exception: KRS 304.39-230 generally gives you two years, measured from the crash or your last no-fault PIP payment, whichever is later. Deadlines can be extended for minors (until age 19), incapacity, or injuries discovered late, but don't assume that covers you. Waiting can quietly destroy a valid claim. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll give you information on which clock applies to your facts before it runs out.

Is Kentucky a no-fault state for car accidents?

Yes — Kentucky is one of only about a dozen no-fault states, and a rare 'choice no-fault' state. Every vehicle except motorcycles must carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. You can formally reject no-fault in writing to preserve your full right to sue. To step outside the system and sue the other driver, you generally must cross a threshold under KRS 304.39-060 — more than $1,000 in medical bills, a broken bone, or a permanent injury or disfigurement. It gets confusing fast. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for plain-English information on your Kentucky claim.

How do I get an EPO or protective order in Kentucky?

If you're in danger, call 911 first. To get an Emergency Protective Order (EPO), you file a petition with the District Court in your county — there's no filing fee, and a judge can issue an EPO the same day, including after hours through on-call procedures reachable via law enforcement. It can later become a longer Domestic Violence Order (DVO) after a hearing, usually set within 14 days. The Kentucky Court of Justice self-help portal has guided interviews that fill out the forms. For plain-English information on the EPO-to-DVO process and what to expect at the hearing, call our free hotline at 1-844-690-0555, 24/7.

Can I get a felony expunged in Kentucky?

Often, yes. Under KRS 431.073, many eligible Class D felony convictions can be vacated and expunged — but only after a five-year waiting period that starts when you complete your whole sentence, including probation or parole, and stay conviction-free. That's a genuine second chance, and it matters enormously for Kentuckians with old drug-possession convictions trying to get work or housing. You'll need a certificate of eligibility from the Kentucky State Police, and the case runs through the court where you were convicted. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll give you information on whether your conviction may qualify and what the expungement steps look like — then book an attorney if you want help filing.

What's the difference between your free call and booking a lawyer?

Two separate things. The call to 1-844-690-0555 is completely free, 24/7, and connects you to our AI legal assistant trained on Kentucky and federal law — it gives legal information, not legal advice, and calling creates no attorney-client relationship. If you decide you want representation, we can book you a paid consultation with a separately-engaged, Kentucky-licensed attorney. We are not a law firm and we don't employ those attorneys. The free call helps you figure out whether you even need a lawyer yet — many callers get the information they need and stop there.

How do I file for divorce in Kentucky?

Kentucky is a no-fault divorce state — you file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Circuit Court (or the county's Family Court division) under KRS Chapter 403, stating only that the marriage is irretrievably broken. At least one spouse must have lived in Kentucky for 180 days before filing, and there's a 60-day waiting period before a decree can be entered. Uncontested cases with agreement on property, custody and support move faster, and the Court of Justice self-help portal can fill out the forms. Contested matters over custody or assets are harder. Call our free hotline at 1-844-690-0555 for information on the process, then book a Kentucky family-law attorney if you need one.

I'm being evicted in Kentucky — what are my rights as a tenant?

A landlord can't just lock you out — they must go through District Court. In areas that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which includes Louisville and Lexington, eviction for nonpayment usually starts with a written seven-day notice to pay or quit, then a forcible-detainer suit and a court hearing where you can appear and raise defenses. If the court rules against you, you typically get seven days to move. Self-help lockouts and utility shutoffs are illegal. For information on your specific notice and timeline — and possible legal-aid help — call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.

Do I need a lawyer for a DUI in Kentucky?

It's strongly worth understanding your exposure first. A Kentucky DUI is prosecuted in District Court and even a first offense can mean license suspension, fines, mandatory alcohol education, and possible jail, with ignition-interlock options. Penalties climb steeply for repeat offenses within the look-back period, and refusing a breath test carries its own consequences. In Northern Kentucky, cross-border stops near Covington and Newport add complications. If a crash was involved, Kentucky's Dram Shop law (KRS 413.241) can even make a bar liable for over-serving an obviously intoxicated patron. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for plain-English information on what you're facing, then book a Kentucky DUI attorney if you want representation.

There's no lawyer near me in rural or eastern Kentucky — can you still help?

Yes — that's exactly the gap this hotline fills. Large parts of Appalachian and rural Kentucky are legal deserts where the nearest firm may be an hour away and only open business hours. Our line is free, answered 24/7, and reachable from anywhere with phone signal — Pikeville, Hazard, Paducah, or a county with no firm at all. You get plain-English legal information on your situation right away, covering criminal, family, injury and housing matters. If you want representation, we can book a Kentucky-licensed attorney who handles your area. Call 1-844-690-0555 any time.


Kentucky Attorneys: Join Our Referral Network

Are you licensed in Kentucky and taking new clients in Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky or beyond? We connect callers who want representation with local attorneys. Apply to receive booked, pre-qualified consultations in your practice areas — criminal, DUI, family, injury, housing and more.

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Reviewed by the Legal Hotline Editorial Team.

General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.

Don't Wait on Kentucky's Clock — Call Free Now

Whether you've been arrested in Jefferson County, served with divorce papers in Lexington, or injured on a Kentucky road with the one-year clock already running, you don't have to figure it out alone tonight. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, for plain-English legal information about your situation — then book a Kentucky-licensed attorney if you decide you need one. No form, no income test, no waiting. Legal information, not legal advice.

Free legal information. Not legal advice.

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