Court Rules

Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky

Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies

Rules last changed:

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Attorney filings

  • Email

Motion for Judgment and Order of Sale, Related Motion

  • 1 copy • Prior to Motion Hour

Motion, Response, Reply, Surreply

Trial Brief

  • 1 copy

Communication

Phone

Clerk

(502) 732-4305
Phone

Clerk

(502) 732-4305; (859) 824-4467; (502) 484-2232
Filters:

Document Format Requirements4 rules

FormattingMandatory

The tendered Judgment and Order of Sale shall be in a format suitable to the Master Commissioner and the Court (see Appendix A) and shall be tendered in an electronic format suitable for editing (e.g., Microsoft Word).

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section502. MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE
FormattingMandatory

All petitions requested, completed, and signed by persons seeking protection under KRS Chapters 403 or 456 shall be made on form AOC-275.1 and shall be accepted and filed with the Court.

Applies to
  • Protective order petition

Formatting

  • Petitions must be made on form AOC-275.1.
C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 25
|SectionAppendix C: Twenty-Four-Hour Accessibility to Protective Orders and Local Joint Jurisdiction Protocol — I. Uniform Protocol for Handling Cases
FormattingImportant

Parties shall provide complete transcripts of depositions rather than excerpts, with PDF copies e-filed if possible.

File type
PDF
Applies to
  • Deposition transcript
C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
FormattingImportant

Orders must leave sufficient space above the signature line to accommodate the Judge’s electronic signature.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS

Document Filing Requirements59 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

In applying for pretrial diversion, counsel for the defendant must state, and the defendant must agree on the record, that in the event diversion is granted, any right to a speedy trial or disposition of the charge against him or her is waived.

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

The Commonwealth shall make a written recommendation to the Court in response to each application.

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

When diversion is recommended, the Commonwealth must make written recommendations to the Court of conditions for the pretrial diversion as well as the appropriate sentence to be imposed if the diversion agreement is unsuccessful.

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

A diversion order must address restitution, supervision and fees, duration, compliance with Probation and Parole rules, commission of offenses, and other applicable or court-imposed conditions.

Court's wording

The Order of Diversion shall include: 1. Restitution, if applicable. Restitution is mandatory where the victim has suffered monetary damage. 2. Whether the diversion shall be supervised or unsupervised, and any supervision fees, which shall be no less than $25.00 per month. 3. The duration of the diversion. 4. An order that the defendant shall obey all rules and regulations imposed by Probation and Parole. 5. An order that the defendant shall not commit any offense during the period of pretrial diversion, including violations of the Penal Code or the Controlled Substances Act. 6. An order that the defendant comply with any other provision of KRS 533.030 or any other condition the Court deems appropriate.

C15PRETRIALDIVERSIONPROGRAM · p. 2
|SectionIV. ORDER OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCriminal cases

The Court shall advise the parties whether it will accept the diversion agreement. If accepted, the Court shall make a specific finding on the record that the defendant entered the plea and entered into the diversion agreement, freely, voluntarily, intelligently, and knowingly.

C15PRETRIALDIVERSIONPROGRAM · p. 2
|SectionIV. ORDER OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION
Filing RequirementsMandatory

All petitions requested, completed, and signed by persons seeking protection under KRS Chapters 403 or 456 shall be made on form AOC-275.1 and shall be accepted and filed with the Court.

C15DVPROTOCOL · p. 1
|SectionI. UNIFORM PROTOCOL FOR HANDLING CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The reviewing judge must indicate in the petition’s “Court Action” section whether the action is under KRS Chapter 403 or KRS Chapter 456.

Court's wording

The judge reviewing a petition for an order of protection shall indicate in the “Court Action” section of the petition whether the resulting action is a domestic violence action under KRS Chapter 403 or an interpersonal protective order action under KRS Chapter 456.

C15DVPROTOCOL · p. 2
|SectionIII. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(5) Pleadings, motions, and other such documents shall contain the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of counsel, or the party if appearing pro se. If there are several office locations, the address used by trial counsel shall be indicated.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Parties shall provide complete transcripts of depositions rather than excerpts, with PDF copies e-filed if possible.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(8) All motions shall state with particularity the relief requested and the grounds therefor . Each motion shall be accompanied by a supporting memorandum.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(7) All emergency motions and ex parte motions shall be submitted for the Court’s review with attached affidavit(s) and may be noticed at the convenience of the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Unless a hearing is not required by statute or rule, a motion must state its hearing date and time, which must be a regular Motion Day unless the Court sets another date.

Court's wording

(1) Unless by statute or rule a hearing is not required (see, e.g., LR 209, infra), all motions shall contain a notice of the date and time of the motion’s hearing. The date shall be a regular Motion Day unless the Court has set a different date. Motions in violation of this Rule shall not be docketed.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 3
|Section202. MOTION PRACTICE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The supporting memorandum, and any response or reply memoranda, shall cite the grounds and authority for the relief requested.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|SectionRULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(3) Any order prepared by an attorney or pro se party shall also include a signature line for the Judge, with the Judge’s name appearing below the signature line, and a place for the date of signature.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(4) Any order prepared by an attorney or pro se party shall also include, on a separate page, a certification of mailing of notice of entry for the Circuit Court Clerk (see CR 77.04), a distribution list with mailing addresses for the attorneys or parties, and a signature line for the Clerk, in the following form:

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

An attorney- or party-prepared order must identify its preparer by signature and be submitted to the opposing side for a “Have Seen” signature, which does not waive objections to the order’s content.

Court's wording

(2) Any order prepared by an attorney or pro se party shall contain a preparation signature identifying the party or attorney who prepared the order and shall be submitted to the opposing counsel or pro se party for signature as “Have Seen.” By signing the tendered order as such, the opposing counsel or pro se party is not waiving any objection to the content of the order but is only agreeing that the order reflects the findings of the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

If the opposing party wishes to have this matter heard in open Court, he or she must so state in the response, and shall set the matter for a determination on a regular motion hour docket, with appropriate notice to all parties and the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Movants under CR 78(2) shall file an appropriate tendered order of relief with the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED
Filing RequirementsMandatory

If a party opposing the motion desires oral hearing, they shall so state and proceed to notice the motion for the following motion day.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Movant shall state that the Motion is made under CR 78(2) and this local rule.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The notice shall specify that the Motion may be routinely granted without hearing by the Court upon expiration of ten (10) calendar days if no response is filed.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(5) All orders shall be prepared and filed as separate instruments.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

All requests for an attorney fee award shall be accompanied by an affidavit from counsel and an itemized statement demonstrating the hours counsel expended on the matter, as well as a statement explaining the basis of the attorney fee award (e.g., a rule, statute, or contractual provision).

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section206. ATTORNEY FEE MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Furthermore, the supporting memorandum must include a statement of how and when the defaulting party was served, and the military service affidavit shall be accompanied by a printed certificate from the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center, if available.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section205. DEFAULT JUDGMENT MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

In addition to the certificate required by CR 55.01, and the military service affidavit required by 50 U.S.C. § 3931, Motions for Default Judgment shall include an affidavit from the plaintiff— not the plaintiff’s counsel—establishing the judgment amount requested, if appropriate.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section205. DEFAULT JUDGMENT MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

If a hearing will be necessary to determine damages, the motion shall request that the Court set the matter for a damages hearing.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section205. DEFAULT JUDGMENT MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Plea agreements must be written, signed, and submitted to the Court before the plea, no later than 3:00 p.m. on the preceding Thursday.

Court's wording

All plea agreements shall be reduced to writing and submitted to the Court prior to entry of pleas made pursuant to such agreements. All plea agreements must be signed and submitted to the Court no later than 3:00 p.m. the Thursday before the plea is to be taken.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 7
|Section303. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

An Order Setting Jury Trial must set preliminary and final pretrial conferences and include applicable deadlines.

Court's wording

The Order Setting Jury Trial shall also set both a Preliminary Pretrial Conference and a Final Pretrial Conference, and shall include any applicable deadlines, e.g., for completion of discovery, filing dispositive motions, amending the pleadings, etc.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 7
|Section301. JURY TRIALS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

A trial brief must include the listed facts, issues, positions, witnesses, exhibits, and requested relief, as well as any other matters ordered by the Court; parties may also include other helpful matters.

Document
Trial brief

Must include

  • Exhibit list
  • Statement of facts

Court's wording

The brief shall include, at minimum: a concise summary of the facts including which facts are disputed or agreed; the legal issues involved; the party’s position on each legal issue and any supporting authority; a list of witnesses; a list of exhibits and copies of those exhibits that can be copied; and a statement of the specific relief requested. The trial brief shall also contain any other matters as the Court may Order and may contain other matters the party believes will assist the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 8
|Section305. COURT TRIALS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

An individual requesting a judicial order must provide the Court with a written explanation for the request which specifically indicates that the requested video recording is an in camera interview with a child, and which includes the specific purpose for the request and who will have access to the recording.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 9
|Section403. VIDEO COPIES OF IN CAMERA INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office shall not release a video recording of any in camera interview with children without a specific written order of the Court.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 9
|Section403. VIDEO COPIES OF IN CAMERA INTERVIEW WITH CHILDREN
Filing RequirementsMandatory

In addition, all pleadings must comply with the requirement of KRS Chapters 205, 403, 405, 406 and 407 by providing the personal identifiers required in those chapters.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 9
|Section402. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The Family Court Case Data Sheet must be fully completed in all cases.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 9
|Section402. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

When the parties agree on all issues and seek a decree without a hearing, they must file a joint motion or agreed order with the specified information and attachments; the available excerpt lists some required dates and ends mid-list.

Court's wording

If the parties reach an agreement on all issues and seek the entry of a decree without a hearing, the parties shall file a joint motion or agreed order that contains the following information and attachments: (a) The date of marriage and separation; (b) The date the petition for dissolution was filed; (c) The date the respondent was served or filed an entry of appearance; (d) The date the final verified disclosures were filed or an agreed order or affidavit

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 9
|Section405. DISSOLUTION
Filing RequirementsMandatory

In requesting one of the alternatives within FCRPP 6(2), counsel for a party shall present those facts of the case that support the alternative requested.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

If the parties reach an agreement on individual issues short of settling the entire case, the agreement, signed by both parties and counsel, if any, shall be submitted to the Court for approval and entry.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

(b) After regular business hours, the Emergency Custody Order Affidavit shall be submitted to the Family Court or the District Court on call if the Family Court is not available.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section409. DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

(a) During regular business hours, excluding holidays, persons seeking an ECO shall come to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office to fill out Forms AOC-DNA-1 and AOC-DNA-2.1, “Emergency Custody Order Affidavit.” The Circuit Court Clerk shall then submit the Affidavit to the Family Court or the District Court on call if the Family Court is not available.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section409. DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Parties requesting a final hearing date in adoption cases shall do so by motion.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section407. ADOPTION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Status offense petitions are filed and heard in Family Court, but the Clerk must assign the case to the District Court division handling a pending public offense case involving the child.

Court's wording

Status offense petitions shall be filed and heard in Family Court. However, if a public offense case involving the child is pending in District Court at any time a status offense case is pending in Family Court, the Circuit Court Clerk shall assign the status offense case to the District Court division presiding over the pending public offense case.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section409. DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Persons seeking to file a DNA petition without an ECO shall come to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office to fill out Form AOC-DNA-1, “Juvenile Dependency/Neglect or Abuse Petition.”

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section409. DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

All Petitions shall name both the legal mother and father of the child(ren) unless the parent’s rights have been terminated by a valid court order. A putative father shall be named if he has been identified as the putative father pursuant KRS 625.065(1).

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 11
|Section409. DEPENDENCY, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The motion shall also include a separate military service affidavit regarding any individual defendants, as well as a printed certificate from the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center, if available (see 50 U.S.C. § 3931).

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

A foreclosure complaint must include counsel’s affidavit confirming a title examination and that all lien holders are named as parties.

Court's wording

Any complaint involving a foreclosure sale on a mortgage or other lien shall include an affidavit of the plaintiff’s counsel stating that a title examination was conducted on the subject property and that all lien holders are named as parties.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

If the property has an affixed manufactured or mobile home, the complaint must include the Affidavit of Conversion or, if none exists, the perfected title lien statement.

Court's wording

If the subject property contains a manufactured or mobile home that has been affixed to the real estate, a copy of the Affidavit of Conversion (see KRS 186A.297) filed with the County Clerk’s Office shall be attached to the complaint. If there is no Affidavit of Conversion, then a copy of the perfected title lien statement shall be attached to the complaint.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

When a deceased defendant’s unknown heirs or devisees are named, counsel must file with the complaint an affidavit describing a diligent search for a probate case.

Court's wording

In any action where a defendant is deceased and unknown heirs, devisees, etc. are named as parties, the plaintiff’s counsel shall file an affidavit with the complaint stating that a diligent search has been conducted to determine if a probate case has been filed for the decedent’s estate.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The plaintiff must execute a separate affidavit stating whether a manufactured or mobile home is located on the property.

Court's wording

In every case, the plaintiff shall execute a separate affidavit regarding the presence of a manufactured or mobile home on the property (e.g., “There is/is not a manufactured home located on the property.”).

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

A motion for judgment and order of sale must include a signed status-of-account affidavit itemizing the balance due, including attorney fees, through the motion’s filing date.

Court's wording

When a motion for judgment and order of sale is made, it shall include a status of account affidavit signed by the plaintiff or its representative setting out the breakdown of the balance due under the obligations of the note and mortgage, to include attorney fees (but see LR 206), up to the date of filing of the motion.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 12
|Section501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Any motion to cancel a judicial sale, including a motion by the plaintiff or joint motion, shall be filed and noticed in accordance with LR 202.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 13
|Section505. CANCELLATION OF SALES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

Absent a timely motion and ruling from the Court, the sale will only be cancelled upon the filing of an agreed order of cancellation signed by all parties who are not in default.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 13
|Section505. CANCELLATION OF SALES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The reviewing judge must identify in the petition’s “Court Action” section whether the action arises under KRS Chapter 403 or KRS Chapter 456.

Court's wording

B. The judge reviewing a petition for an order of protection shall indicate in the “Court Action” section of the petition whether the resulting action is a domestic violence action under KRS Chapter 403 or an interpersonal protective order action under KRS Chapter 456.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 27
|SectionIII. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The Commonwealth shall make a written recommendation to the Court in response to each application.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

In applying for pretrial diversion, counsel for the defendant must state, and the defendant must agree on the record, that in the event diversion is granted, any right to a speedy trial or disposition of the charge against him or her is waived.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

When diversion is recommended, the Commonwealth must make written recommendations to the Court of conditions for the pretrial diversion as well as the appropriate sentence to be imposed if the diversion agreement is unsuccessful.

Filing RequirementsMandatory

A diversion order must specify restitution when applicable, supervision status and fees, duration, and the listed defendant obligations and conditions.

Court's wording

The Order of Diversion shall include: 1. Restitution, if applicable. Restitution is mandatory where the victim has suffered monetary damage. 2. Whether the diversion shall be supervised or unsupervised, and any supervision fees, which shall be no less than $25.00 per month. 3. The duration of the diversion. 4. An order that the defendant shall obey all rules and regulations imposed by Probation and Parole. 5. An order that the defendant shall not commit any offense during the period of pretrial diversion, including violations of the Penal Code or the Controlled Substances Act. 6. An order that the defendant comply with any other provision of KRS 533.030 or any other condition the Court deems appropriate.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 29
|SectionIV. ORDER OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION
Filing RequirementsMandatory

The Court shall advise the parties whether it will accept the diversion agreement. If accepted, the Court shall make a specific finding on the record that the defendant entered the plea and entered into the diversion agreement, freely, voluntarily, intelligently, and knowingly.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 29
|SectionIV. ORDER OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION
Filing RequirementsNote

(1) The Court may direct an attorney or pro se party to prepare an order reflecting the findings of the Court or may take the matter under submission for preparation of an order by the Court

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 5
|Section203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Filing RequirementsNote

For business entities, this requirement may be satisfied by an affidavit from an employee or other representative with knowledge of the plaintiff’s damages.

C15LOCALRULES · Dec 2025 · p. 6
|Section205. DEFAULT JUDGMENT MOTIONS
Filing RequirementsNote

In any open paternity case, the parties may submit an Agreed Judgment of Paternity and an Agreed Order of Support for the Court’s review and approval without filing a motion, so long as the proposed Order has been signed by all parties.

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

In cases subject to mandatory e-filing, clerks must not accept conventionally filed documents from represented parties, subject to exceptions under the eFiling Rules.

Except for documents filed by unrepresented parties, the Circuit Court Clerks shall not accept conventionally filed documents in cases subject to mandatory e-filing except as otherwise permitted under the Administrative Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Kentucky Court of Justice Electronic Filing (eFiling Rules).

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

PDF copies of deposition transcripts should be e-filed when possible.

Parties shall provide complete transcripts of depositions rather than excerpts, with PDF copies e-filed if possible.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

An eligible person may apply for pretrial diversion after indictment or information, but must do so no later than 30 days before trial.

After indictment or information in Circuit Court, and no later than thirty days before trial, any person eligible for pretrial diversion may apply to the Circuit Court and the Commonwealth for entry of a pretrial diversion order.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | III. PROCEDURE

The Court must review a protective-order petition immediately upon filing and should review it within an hour of presentation to a judge unless no judge is available.

The Court shall review a petition for a protective order immediately upon its filing. Petitioners shall not be sent away or left waiting for extended periods of time. Petitions should be reviewed within an hour of presentation to a judge unless it is impossible due to no judge being available.

Page 1 | I. UNIFORM PROTOCOL FOR HANDLING CASES

Motions generally must be filed with the appropriate Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at least seven days before the hearing, by close of business if filed in person; exceptions may apply, and late motions may be denied or continued.

(2) All Motions, except emergency motions, ex parte motions, or motions with other timeframes pursuant to rule or statute (e.g., CR 56.03), shall be filed with the appropriate Circuit Court Clerk’s Office (by close of business if filing in person) at least seven days in advance of the hearing. Except where permitted by rule or statute or for good cause shown, all motions filed less than seven days in advance may be denied as procedurally deficient or continued to a date more than seven days after the filing of the motion.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

The motion may be granted without a hearing ten calendar days after filing unless a response or objection is filed.

This motion may be routinely granted by the Court ten (10) calendar days from the date of filing, without a hearing, unless a response or objection is filed.

Page 6 | 209. MOTIONS ROUTINELY GRANTED

Signed plea agreements must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the plea.

All plea agreements must be signed and submitted to the Court no later than 3:00 p.m. the Thursday before the plea is to be taken.

Page 7 | 303. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

Counsel must submit expected written motions by the final pretrial conference; additional motions afterward require leave of Court for good cause.

Counsel shall attend the final pretrial conference and shall submit all written motions expected to be required in the case. No additional motions may be offered after the final pretrial conference except by leave of the Court for good cause shown.

Page 7 | 303. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

In juryless cases, each party must file a trial brief with the Circuit Court Clerk at least seven days before trial.

In all cases tried without a jury, each party shall file a trial brief with the Circuit Court Clerk not less than seven (7) days prior to trial.

Page 8 | 305. COURT TRIALS

The title examination must be updated every six months by filing a new affidavit.

The title examination shall be updated every six months by filing a new affidavit.

Page 12 | 501. NECESSARY AFFIDAVITS IN FORECLOSURE CASES

The Court shall review a petition for a protective order immediately upon its filing. Petitioners shall not be sent away or left waiting for extended periods of time. Petitions should be reviewed within an hour of presentation to a judge unless it is impossible due to no judge being available.

The Court shall review a petition for a protective order immediately upon its filing. Petitioners shall not be sent away or left waiting for extended periods of time. Petitions should be reviewed within an hour of presentation to a judge unless it is impossible due to no judge being available.

Page 25 | Appendix C: Twenty-Four-Hour Accessibility to Protective Orders and Local Joint Jurisdiction Protocol — I. Uniform Protocol for Handling Cases

An eligible person may apply for a pretrial diversion order after indictment or information and no later than 30 days before trial.

After indictment or information in Circuit Court, and no later than thirty days before trial, any person eligible for pretrial diversion may apply to the Circuit Court and the Commonwealth for entry of a pretrial diversion order.

Page 28 | III. PROCEDURE

Motions to set a trial date should wait until discovery is substantially complete.

motions to set a trial date should not be made until discovery is substantially complete.

Page 7 | 301. JURY TRIALS

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be sent to opposing counsel.

(6) Exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments necessary to any motion, response, reply, or surreply must be filed with the motion, response, reply, or surreply, with copies sent to opposing counsel and to the Court.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Each party must serve a copy of the trial brief on opposing counsel.

Each party shall serve a copy of this brief on opposing counsel

Page 8 | 305. COURT TRIALS

Motions for post-judgment relief must be served on both the opposing party and any attorney of record.

Motions for post-judgment relief shall be served on the opposing party as well as any attorney of record.

Page 9 | 404. POST-JUDGMENT RELIEF

The Clerk need not complete the certification or mail hard copies when unnecessary under the circumstances, such as in a case subject to mandatory e-filing.

The Circuit Court Clerk is not required to complete this certification or mail hard copies if unnecessary under the circumstances, e.g., where the case is subject to mandatory efiling.

Page 6 | 203. ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS

Filing Fees and Waivers

Within seven days after entry of the Judgment and Order of Sale, the plaintiff must advance $1,000 by certified check or money order for sale expenses; amounts used are taxed as costs, any surplus is refunded, and failure to pay timely cancels the sale.

Within seven days after the entry of the Judgment and Order of Sale, the plaintiff shall forward to the Master Commissioner a certified check or money order for $1,000.00 as an advance for expenses to be incurred by the Master Commissioner in relation to the sale. The amounts used from that advance shall be taxed as costs and included in the plaintiff’s judgment. Any surplus shall be refunded to the plaintiff in the Master Commissioner’s final accounting. Failure to timely advance this sum shall result in the sale’s cancellation.

Page 12 | 503. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

Warning Order Attorneys are entitled to a reasonable fee, customarily capped at $175 unless counsel demonstrates that a higher fee is warranted.

Warning Order Attorneys shall be entitled to a reasonable fee. The customary fee shall not exceed $175.00 unless counsel demonstrates that a higher fee is warranted under the circumstances.

Page 6 | 204. WARNING ORDER ATTORNEY FEES

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must also be sent to the Court.

(6) Exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments necessary to any motion, response, reply, or surreply must be filed with the motion, response, reply, or surreply, with copies sent to opposing counsel and to the Court.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Copies of motions, responses, replies, and surreplies must be sent to the presiding judge in addition to the original; counsel must email them, and unrepresented parties may mail them to the stated address.

(3) Copies of all motions, responses, replies, and surreplies shall be sent to the presiding judge. Counsel shall email copies, while unrepresented parties may send copies via U.S. Mail to 224 S Main Street, Williamstown, KY 41097. This copy shall be in addition to the original filed or e- filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. The appropriate email address may be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Each party must send a copy of the trial brief directly to chambers.

and shall also send a copy directly to chambers (see LR 202(3)).

Page 8 | 305. COURT TRIALS

In addition to the judge’s copy, one copy of each motion for judgment and order of sale or related motion must be sent to the Master Commissioner before the motion hour when it will be heard.

In addition to the Judge’s copy, a copy of all motions for judgment and order of sale or motions relating thereto shall be sent to the Master Commissioner for review and approval prior to the motion hour at which the motion will be heard.

Page 12 | 502. MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE

Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Parties must comply with CR 7.03 for covered personal identifiers, but filings in actions deemed confidential by statute need not be redacted; access to those files is governed by the cited statutes.

However, except as set forth in subsection (3) below, where personal identifiers are required by statute or contained in other documents or exhibits filed with the Court pursuant to the above-stated chapters, parties shall comply with CR 7.03. (3) Pleadings, documents, or exhibits filed in actions deemed confidential by statute need not be redacted, and any access to those files shall be governed by KRS 199.570, KRS 610.340, KRS 625.045, and KRS 625.108.

Page 9 | 402. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

Temporary Custody Orders granted under KRS 199.473(7) must be sealed and may be inspected only by the parties and their counsel.

Temporary Custody Orders granted pursuant to KRS 199.473(7) shall be SEALED and not open to inspection by persons other than the parties to such proceedings and their counsel.

Page 11 | 407. ADOPTION AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

Filing Bundling Requirements

Necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be filed with the associated motion or response paper.

(6) Exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments necessary to any motion, response, reply, or surreply must be filed with the motion, response, reply, or surreply, with copies sent to opposing counsel and to the Court.

Page 3 | 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

The timing for reply memoranda is set at the initial hearing.

and reply memoranda will be set at the initial hearing.

Page 5 | RULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A party unable to attend must immediately notify the moving party and try to agree on a new hearing time; if unsuccessful, the party must immediately file a continuance motion or notice of unavailability, and the Court retains discretion over continuances and related costs.

(9) An attorney or pro se party who is unable to be present at the time scheduled in the motion shall immediately notify the moving attorney or pro se party and attempt to establish a mutually agreeable time for hearing the motion. If unsuccessful, the party unable to be present shall immediately file a motion for continuance or notice of unavailability. The Court shall have discretion to allocate costs by reason of a continuance upon a showing of good cause. The Court shall have final discretion in the granting or denying of any continuance.

Page 5 | RULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES

Chambers Communication Rules

Counsel and parties must not communicate ex parte with the Court unless a statute, rule, or other authority permits it.

Except where allowed by statute, rule, or other authority, there shall be no ex parte communication with the Court by counsel or parties.

Page 6 | 207. IMPROPER COMMUNICATIONS

A party or attorney aware of a conflict requiring recusal must file a recusal motion or contact the Judge’s chambers to notify the Judge.

If a party or attorney is or becomes aware of a conflict requiring a Circuit Judge’s recusal from a pending case, the party or attorney shall file a motion for recusal or shall contact the Judge’s chambers to notify the Judge of the conflict.

Page 6 | 210. RECUSALS

Attorneys must advise clients and witnesses about courtroom decorum, including not discussing pending matters with the Court or communicating with jurors.

Attorneys shall advise their clients and witnesses of proper courtroom decorum, including the impropriety of attempting to discuss pending matters with the Court and the prohibition against communicating with jurors.

Page 6 | 207. IMPROPER COMMUNICATIONS

Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at (502) 732-4305.

Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in each county, as follows: CARROLL COUNTY GRANT COUNTY OWEN COUNTY 802 Clay Street 224 South Main Street 401 South Main Street Carrollton, KY 41008 Williamstown, KY 41097 P.O. Box 473 (502) 732-4305 (859) 824-4467 Owenton, KY 40359 (502) 484-2232

Page 2 | IV. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS

Counsel may appear by Zoom for motion hearings only after requesting and receiving Court approval, except for the specified final-hearing/trial motions and agreed requests for a special hearing date and time.

(10) Counsel may appear for motion hearings by videoconferencing technology (“Zoom”) only upon request to the Court and with the Court’s prior approval, with the exception of the following: parties/counsel need not seek permission to appear by Zoom on Motions to Set for Final Hearing/Trial; or on any Motion where the parties have agreed in advance that the Motion cannot be heard in fifteen minutes on the regularly scheduled docket and are appearing only to request a special hearing date and time from the Court.

Page 5 | RULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES

Parties are responsible for informing the Court of any address changes.

It is the parties’ responsibility to keep the Court informed of any address changes.

Page 9 | 404. POST-JUDGMENT RELIEF

B. Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in each county, as follows: CARROLL COUNTY GRANT COUNTY OWEN COUNTY 802 Clay Street 224 South Main Street 401 South Main Street Carrollton, KY 41008 Williamstown, KY 41097 P.O. Box 473 (502) 732-4305 (859) 824-4467 Owenton, KY 40359 (502) 484-2232

B. Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in each county, as follows: CARROLL COUNTY GRANT COUNTY OWEN COUNTY 802 Clay Street 224 South Main Street 401 South Main Street Carrollton, KY 41008 Williamstown, KY 41097 P.O. Box 473 (502) 732-4305 (859) 824-4467 Owenton, KY 40359 (502) 484-2232

Page 27 | IV. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS

Common questions about Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky rules

Are courtesy copies required in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions, responses, replys, and surreplys. Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must also be sent to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Does Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

The timing for reply memoranda is set at the initial hearing.

View ruleSource: page 5, section RULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES

What formatting rules apply to filings in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky's formatting rule includes the tendered document must be in a format suitable to the master commissioner and the court and in an electronic format suitable for editing (e.g., microsoft word).. The tendered Judgment and Order of Sale must be in a format suitable to the Master Commissioner and Court and submitted electronically in an editable format.

View ruleSource: page 12, section 502. MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE

What must be included with pretrial diversion application filings in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

When applying for diversion, counsel must state and the defendant must agree on the record to waive the right to speedy trial or disposition if diversion is granted.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. PROCEDURE

What must be included with commonwealth recommendation filings in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

The Commonwealth must provide the Court with a written recommendation for each diversion application.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. PROCEDURE

How may parties contact Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

Counsel and parties must not communicate ex parte with the Court unless a statute, rule, or other authority permits it.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 207. IMPROPER COMMUNICATIONS

How does Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky handle sealed or redacted filings?

Parties must comply with CR 7.03 for covered personal identifiers, but filings in actions deemed confidential by statute need not be redacted; access to those files is governed by the cited statutes.

View ruleSource: page 9, section 402. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

How do I request an adjournment or extension in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

A party unable to attend must immediately notify the moving party and try to agree on a new hearing time; if unsuccessful, the party must immediately file a continuance motion or notice of unavailability, and the Court retains discretion over continuances and related costs.

View ruleSource: page 5, section RULE 2: COURT SCHEDULING; FILING PROCEDURES; GENERAL PRACTICE RULES

Does Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky require motion papers to be bundled?

Necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be filed with the associated motion or response paper.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Is electronic filing required in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

In cases subject to mandatory e-filing, clerks must not accept conventionally filed documents from represented parties, subject to exceptions under the eFiling Rules.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 202. MOTION PRACTICE

Are filing fees or waivers addressed in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

Within seven days after entry of the Judgment and Order of Sale, the plaintiff must advance $1,000 by certified check or money order for sale expenses; amounts used are taxed as costs, any surplus is refunded, and failure to pay timely cancels the sale.

View ruleSource: page 12, section 503. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

What filing deadlines does Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky set?

An eligible person may apply for pretrial diversion after indictment or information, but must do so no later than 30 days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. PROCEDURE

What rule applies to serving the opposing party in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky?

Details: recipient: the opposing party. Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be sent to opposing counsel.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 202. MOTION PRACTICE
Complete rules summary for Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky

An eligible person may apply for pretrial diversion after indictment or information, but must do so no later than 30 days before trial.

When applying for diversion, counsel must state and the defendant must agree on the record to waive the right to speedy trial or disposition if diversion is granted.

The Commonwealth must provide the Court with a written recommendation for each diversion application.

If the Commonwealth recommends diversion, its written recommendation must state the diversion conditions and the appropriate sentence if the agreement is unsuccessful.

A diversion order must address restitution, supervision and fees, duration, compliance with Probation and Parole rules, commission of offenses, and other applicable or court-imposed conditions.

The Court must advise the parties whether it accepts the diversion agreement and, if accepted, make a specific on-record finding that the plea and agreement were entered freely, voluntarily, intelligently, and knowingly.

Protective-order petitions must be made on form AOC-275.1 and accepted and filed with the Court.

The Court must review a protective-order petition immediately upon filing and should review it within an hour of presentation to a judge unless no judge is available.

The reviewing judge must indicate in the petition’s “Court Action” section whether the action is under KRS Chapter 403 or KRS Chapter 456.

Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at (502) 732-4305.

A party unable to attend must immediately notify the moving party and try to agree on a new hearing time; if unsuccessful, the party must immediately file a continuance motion or notice of unavailability, and the Court retains discretion over continuances and related costs.

Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must also be sent to the Court.

Unless a hearing is not required by statute or rule, a motion must state its hearing date and time, which must be a regular Motion Day unless the Court sets another date.

Motions generally must be filed with the appropriate Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at least seven days before the hearing, by close of business if filed in person; exceptions may apply, and late motions may be denied or continued.

In cases subject to mandatory e-filing, clerks must not accept conventionally filed documents from represented parties, subject to exceptions under the eFiling Rules.

Copies of motions, responses, replies, and surreplies must be sent to the presiding judge in addition to the original; counsel must email them, and unrepresented parties may mail them to the stated address.

Pleadings, motions, and similar documents must state counsel’s or a pro se party’s name, address, phone number, and email address; if counsel has multiple offices, the trial counsel address must be used.

Necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be filed with the associated motion or response paper.

Copies of necessary exhibits, affidavits, and other attachments must be sent to opposing counsel.

Parties must provide complete deposition transcripts rather than excerpts.

Parties shall provide complete transcripts of depositions rather than excerpts, with PDF copies e-filed if possible.

PDF copies of deposition transcripts should be e-filed when possible.

(7) All emergency motions and ex parte motions shall be submitted for the Court’s review with attached affidavit(s) and may be noticed at the convenience of the Court.

Each motion must state the requested relief and grounds with particularity and include a supporting memorandum.

The timing for reply memoranda is set at the initial hearing.

Supporting, response, and reply memoranda must cite the grounds and authority for the requested relief.

Counsel may appear by Zoom for motion hearings only after requesting and receiving Court approval, except for the specified final-hearing/trial motions and agreed requests for a special hearing date and time.

The Court may direct an attorney or pro se party to prepare an order, or may take the matter under submission to prepare the order itself.

An attorney- or party-prepared order must identify its preparer by signature and be submitted to the opposing side for a “Have Seen” signature, which does not waive objections to the order’s content.

An attorney- or party-prepared order must provide a Judge signature line, the Judge’s name below it, and a place for the signature date.

More Judges in Grant County Circuit Court, Kentucky

Leslie R. Knight
Judge