Not later than 10 days after entry of judgment the court of its own initiative, or on the motion of a party made not later than 10 days after entry of judgment, may amend its findings or make additional findings and may amend the judgment accordingly. The motion may be made with a motion for a new trial pursuant to Rule 59.
Rule 52.02.Amendment.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceWithin 10 days after judgment, the trial court on its own or on a party's motion may amend its findings, add new findings, and revise the judgment to match, and this motion may be paired with a motion for a new trial under Rule 59.
Full Text of Rule 52.02
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 18, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no History line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the West’s Rules & Procedures.
Plain-English Summary
After a bench trial, a judge's written findings sometimes miss something or get a detail wrong. Rule 52.02 gives the trial court a short window to fix that. The court can act on its own, or a party can ask it to, but the request has to land within 10 days of when the judgment was entered.
The fix can go two ways: the court can revise findings it already made, or it can add findings on points it never addressed. If those changes affect the outcome, the judgment gets amended to match. A party who wants both a new trial and a correction to the findings can raise both in the same motion, so there's no need to file separate papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to ask the court to amend its findings after a bench trial?
Rule 52.02 sets a 10-day deadline from entry of judgment, whether the court is acting on its own or a party is asking it to.
Can I combine a motion to amend findings with a motion for a new trial?
Yes. Rule 52.02 allows a motion to amend or add findings to be made together with a motion for a new trial under Rule 59.
Can a judge change findings of fact without either party asking?
Yes. Rule 52.02 lets the court amend its findings or make additional findings on its own initiative, within the same 10-day period that applies to a party's motion.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 52.02). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: amend findings of fact kentuckymotion to amend judgment CR 52.02additional findings after bench trialfix findings of fact deadlineCR 52.02 kentucky