FCRPP 6.General provisions

Last amended February 1, 2020 · Current through July 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026

In one sentenceFCRPP 6 opens the custody section by listing the evaluations, appointments and services a court may order at the parties' expense, and requires a hearing on any temporary custody, parenting time, maintenance or support motion within 60 days.

Full Text of FCRPP 6

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(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to all actions in which there are disputes regarding custody, parenting time, or support.

(2) A parent or custodian may move for, or the court may order, one or more of the following, which may be apportioned at the expense of the parents or custodians:

(a) A custody evaluation;

(b) Psychological evaluation(s) of a parent or parents or custodians, or child(ren);

(d) Mediation;

(e) Appointment of a guardian ad litem for a child(ren);

(f) Appointment of a friend of the court or de facto friend of the court;

(g) Appointment of such other professional(s) for opinions or advice which the court deems appropriate; or,

(h) Such other action deemed appropriate by the court.

(3) The court or domestic relations commissioner shall conduct a hearing on any motion for temporary custody, parenting time, maintenance, or support, within 60 days of filing the motion except for good cause stated on the record. Nothing herein prevents the parties from entering into an agreement on these issues.

(4) In all proceedings for the dissolution of marriage in which children of the marriage are minors, or in any custody proceedings, the court may order the parents or custodians and children to participate in counseling or divorce education on a case-by-case basis, which shall be at the expense of the parties.

End

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

This section applies to every action in which custody, parenting time or support is disputed, and it starts with the court's toolkit. On a parent's or custodian's motion, or on its own, the court may order a custody evaluation; psychological evaluations of the parents, custodians or children; family counselling; mediation; appointment of a guardian ad litem for the children; appointment of a friend of the court or de facto friend of the court; appointment of any other professional whose opinion or advice the court thinks appropriate; or any other action it deems appropriate. The cost may be apportioned between the parents or custodians.

The deadline is the other half of the rule and the one a litigant feels. A hearing on any motion for temporary custody, parenting time, maintenance or support must be conducted within 60 days of filing — by the court or the domestic relations commissioner — except for good cause stated on the record. Nothing stops the parties from settling those issues by agreement instead.

In dissolutions involving minor children, and in any custody proceeding, the court may order the parents or custodians and the children into counselling or divorce education on a case-by-case basis, at the parties' expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly is a temporary custody motion heard in Kentucky?

Within 60 days of filing, by the court or the domestic relations commissioner, except for good cause stated on the record.

What can the court order in a custody dispute?

A custody evaluation, psychological evaluations, family counselling, mediation, a guardian ad litem for the children, a friend of the court or de facto friend of the court, another professional for opinions or advice, or any other action it deems appropriate — with the cost apportioned between the parents or custodians.

Can we be ordered into divorce education?

Yes. In dissolutions where the children are minors, and in any custody proceeding, the court may order the parents or custodians and children to participate in counselling or divorce education on a case-by-case basis, at the parties' expense.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Kentucky Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice (Ky. FCRPP FCRPP 6). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Kentucky. The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified September 8, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: custody evaluationguardian ad litemfriend of the court60 day hearingdivorce educationpsychological evaluation