Title LI, Unified Juvenile Code

The Circuit Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings under this chapter. In any case where the consent form under KRS 625.0403 is filed with the District Court, the District Court shall have jurisdiction of voluntary termination proceedings under this chapter.

In the case of a child who has become a ward of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as a result of a termination of parental rights judgment entered against the child's parents, and who remains a ward of the cabinet upon attainment of his or her eighteenth birthday, the ca…

(1) A petition for the voluntary termination of parental rights shall be entitled "In the interest of..., a child." The petition may be filed by a parent or counsel when the appearance-waiver and consent-to-adopt forms are signed by the parent, counsel, and cabinet representative…

Chapter 620 -- Parental election -- Consent form -- Definition. (1) As used in this section, "voluntary and informed" means that at the time of the execution of the consent, the consenting person was fully informed of the legal effect of the consent, that the consenting person wa…

rights for purpose of adoption -- Expenses paid by prospective adoptive parents to be submitted to court -- Penalty. (1) A parent desiring the termination of his or her parental rights and a transfer of the parental rights to a person, persons, the cabinet, or a child-placing age…

(1) In a voluntary termination proceeding, an attorney shall not represent both the biological parents and the prospective adoptive parents. (2) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(1) The parties to an action for voluntary termination of parental rights shall be the parent seeking termination, whose presence is not required if represented by counsel for the parent when an appearance-waiver and consent-to-adopt form is filed with the court, but the court sh…

(1) Within three (3) days after a petition for the voluntary termination of parental rights is filed, the Circuit Court shall set a date for a hearing which shall not be more than thirty (30) calendar days after the petition is filed. In any case in which the child's permanent cu…

(1) If the Circuit Court determines that parental rights are to be voluntarily terminated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall make an order terminating all parental rights and obligations of the parent and releasing the child from all legal obligations to …

Following the entry of an order voluntarily terminating parental rights in a child, the child shall retain the right to inherit from his parent under the laws of descent and distribution until the child is adopted.

(1) Any order resulting from the voluntary termination of parental rights of any person under the provisions of this chapter, including the caption of the order, shall contain only the name of the child, without any reference to the names of the parents whose rights have been ter…

Any order for the voluntary termination of parental rights shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

(1) A petition for involuntary termination of parental rights shall be entitled "In the interest of ..., a child." (2) The petition shall be filed in the Circuit Court for any of the following counties: (a) The county in which either parent resides or may be found; (b) The county…

(1) In addition to the child, the following shall be the parties in an action for involuntary termination of parental rights: (a) The petitioner; (b) The cabinet, if not the petitioner; and (c) The biological parents, if known and if their rights have not been previously terminat…

(1) The putative father of a child shall be made a party and brought before the circuit court in the same manner as any other party to an involuntary termination action if one (1) of the following conditions exists: (a) He is known and voluntarily identified by the mother by affi…

(1) In any action for involuntary termination of parental rights, service upon the parties shall be accomplished by personal service where possible or constructive service where personal service is not possible, pursuant to the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. (2) No service sh…

In any involuntary action for termination of parental rights: (1) The Circuit Court shall conduct a private hearing. An official stenographic or mechanical record shall be made of the proceedings and retained for a period of five (5) years. The court shall make findings of fact a…

until October 1, 2026) (1) The Circuit Court may involuntarily terminate all parental rights of a parent of a named child, if the Circuit Court finds from the record by clear and convincing evidence that: (a) 1. The child has been adjudged to be an abused or neglected child, as d…

(1) If the Circuit Court determines that parental rights are to be terminated involuntarily in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall enter an order that the termination of parental rights and the transfer of custody are in the best interest of the child, and th…

Following the entry of an order involuntarily terminating parental rights in a child, the child shall retain the right to inherit from his parent under the laws of descent and distribution until the child is adopted.

(1) Any order resulting from the involuntary termination of parental rights of any person under the provisions of this chapter, including the caption of the order, shall contain only the name of the child, without any reference to the names of the parents whose rights have been t…

Any order for the involuntary termination of parental rights shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, except that an appeal may be taken from a judgment or order of the Circuit Court involuntarily terminating parental rights in accordance with the Kentucky Rules of Civil P…

Data collection and annual report requirements. (1) By December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter until December 1, 2029, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall collect data from each Circuit Court detailing the length of time that lapses from the filing of each petition fo…

The cabinet shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter.