FCRPP 31.Adoption
Last amended February 1, 2020 · Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
Full Text of FCRPP 31
Amendment History
Kentucky publishes each rule’s amendment record as a “HISTORY” note beneath the rule, citing the Supreme Court order that adopted or amended it and that order’s effective date. It is reproduced verbatim below.
HISTORY: Adopted by Order 2020-1, eff. 2-1-20
Plain-English Summary
Sequence first: no request for a final hearing may be made before the state child protective service agency report is filed. The report is what tells the court whether the placement is sound, and asking for a hearing without it puts the decision ahead of the evidence.
Once the request is properly made and the adoption is uncontested, the hearing must be held within 60 days of filing that request. Continuances of a final hearing date are not granted except on good cause shown.
The last sentence prevents a gap that would otherwise open. Annual permanency review hearings continue to be held in the dependency, neglect and abuse action until the adoption is finalised. A child does not fall out of court oversight during the months an adoption is pending — the two tracks run together until one ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon is an uncontested adoption heard in Kentucky?
Within 60 days of the filing of a request for a final hearing.
Can I ask for a final hearing before the agency report is filed?
No. No request for final hearing shall be made prior to the filing of the state child protective service agency report.
Do permanency reviews stop once an adoption is filed?
No. Annual permanency review hearings continue to be held in any dependency, neglect and abuse action until finalisation of the adoption.