Contested Divorce · Louisville Office
Contested Divorce Lawyer in Louisville, KY
Wise & Associates handles contested divorces in Jefferson Family Court and surrounding Kentucky counties, including disputes over custody, child support, maintenance, and property, through temporary orders, discovery, mediation, and trial. At Wise & Associates, the upfront flat fee covers the case to start, and mediation, court appearances, and trial are each priced before they begin.
Contested Divorce in Kentucky: Key Facts
| Our fees | At Wise & Associates, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, each priced and agreed to before work on it begins. See pricing |
|---|---|
| What makes it contested | The spouses disagree on one or more issues, such as custody, timesharing, child support, maintenance, the house, retirement accounts, or debts |
| Court | Jefferson Family Court in Louisville, or the family or circuit court in Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, or Henry County |
| Waiting period | No decree until the spouses have lived apart at least 60 days. Contested cases usually take longer, depending on the issues and the court's schedule. |
| Property | Marital property is divided in just proportions, which is not always 50/50; each spouse keeps nonmarital property |
| Maintenance | Spousal support, decided on need and ability to pay |
| Governing law | KRS Chapter 403, including KRS 403.190 (property) and KRS 403.200 (maintenance) |
| Handled by | Jennifer Frederick, Managing Attorney, and Christopher Wise, Founder |
How Our Staged Fees Work in a Contested Divorce
| Stage | What it covers | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront flat fee | Opening the case, filings, disclosures, temporary orders, and negotiation | One flat fee, $1,500–$5,000 |
| Mediation | Preparing for and attending mediation | Priced before it begins, only if needed |
| Court appearances | Contested hearings, such as temporary custody or support hearings | Priced before each begins, only if needed |
| Trial | Preparing for and trying the case before the judge | Priced before it begins, only if needed |
If your case settles early, stages that are never reached are never charged. Wise & Associates does not bill hourly.
How a Contested Divorce Works in Jefferson Family Court
Free phone consultation
An attorney reviews the disputed issues and quotes your upfront fee.
Petition and response
A petition for dissolution of marriage is filed, the other spouse is served, and the other spouse responds.
Temporary orders
The court can set temporary custody, support, use of the home, and payment of bills while the case is pending.
Disclosures and discovery
Both spouses exchange financial information. Discovery can include document requests, written questions, and depositions.
Mediation
Most contested divorces go to mediation, and most settle there or during negotiation.
Trial
Issues that do not settle are decided by the judge after a trial. There is no jury in a Kentucky divorce.
Decree
The court enters the decree of dissolution, resolving every issue.
Credentials
- Christopher Wise, founder: Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2023–2027; Louisville Business First 20 People to Know in Law, 2023 and 2026.
- Jennifer Frederick, managing attorney: member of the Kentucky Bar since 2000; Walker Award for excellence in public advocacy, two-time recipient.
- Wise & Associates: Best Law Firm in Louisville, The Courier Journal Best of Louisville (reader-voted), Winner 2022 and 2023, Top 3 2025 and 2026. All awards
Louisville Contested Divorce Questions
How much does a contested divorce cost in Louisville?
At Wise & Associates, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, each priced before it begins, so you know the cost of each phase in advance. The firm does not bill hourly.
How long does a contested divorce take in Kentucky?
Longer than an uncontested divorce. A decree cannot be entered until the spouses have lived apart at least 60 days, and contested cases then depend on the number of disputed issues, discovery, mediation, and the court's schedule.
Do most contested divorces go to trial?
No. Most contested divorces settle through negotiation or mediation. Trial is for the issues the spouses cannot resolve.
Is a jury used in a Kentucky divorce?
No. A family court judge decides any issues that go to trial.
Can a contested divorce become uncontested?
Yes. If the spouses reach agreement on every issue at any point, they can sign a separation agreement and finish the case without a trial.
What if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?
A spouse cannot stop a divorce in Kentucky by refusing to sign. Once the other spouse is served, the case moves forward, and the court can decide the issues and enter a decree.
Talk to a Louisville Divorce Lawyer
Consultations are free and by phone. Book a time, then call the office at your scheduled time.
Wise & Associates303 Middletown Park Pl, Suite G, Louisville, KY 40243
(502) 618-0000
Attorney advertising. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.