If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other documents or to perform any other specific act and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed by the court and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party. On application of the party entitled to performance, the clerk shall issue a writ of attachment against the property of the disobedient party to compel obedience to the judgment. The court may also in proper cases adjudge the party in contempt. When any order or judgment is for money, land, or for the delivery of possession, the party in whose favor it is entered is entitled to a writ of execution upon application to the clerk.
Rule 70.Judgment for specific acts.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceRule 70 lets a court have a specific act -- like executing a deed -- performed by a court-appointed person at the disobedient party's expense if that party won't comply with a judgment, backed by a writ of attachment against the party's property, possible contempt, and a writ of execution for judgments awarding money, land, or possession.
Full Text of Rule 70
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
Some judgments order a party to do something rather than pay money -- sign a conveyance, hand over deeds or other documents, complete another specific act. Rule 70 gives the court a way to make that happen even when the party refuses. If the party does not comply within the time the judgment specifies, the court can appoint someone else to perform the act at the disobedient party's cost, and that substitute performance has the same effect as if the original party had done it.
The party who was entitled to that performance has a further tool: on application, the clerk issues a writ of attachment against the disobedient party's property to compel obedience to the judgment. The court can also adjudge that party in contempt in proper cases.
For judgments calling for money, land, or delivery of possession rather than a specific act, the rule points to a different remedy: the party in whose favor the judgment was entered is entitled to a writ of execution just by applying to the clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a Kentucky court do if someone refuses to sign a deed ordered by a judgment?
Under Rule 70, the court can have another person, appointed by the court, perform the act -- such as executing the conveyance -- at the disobedient party's cost, and that performance has the same effect as if the original party had done it.
Can a party be held in contempt for not complying with a judgment for a specific act in Kentucky?
Yes. Rule 70 allows the court to adjudge the disobedient party in contempt in proper cases, along with issuing a writ of attachment against that party's property.
How does someone enforce a judgment for money, land, or possession in Kentucky?
The party in whose favor the judgment or order was entered is entitled to a writ of execution just by applying to the clerk.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 70). 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: judgment for specific acts kentuckyCR 70 kentuckycourt ordered deed execution kentuckywrit of attachment to enforce a judgment kentuckycontempt for not complying with a judgment kentucky