Kentucky Judgment: Types, Records, Duration, and What to Expect

A judgment is a court’s final decision that resolves a dispute and establishes the rights and obligations of the parties involved. In Kentucky, this is possible in certain cases, such as civil lawsuits, debt collection, family law matters, criminal restitution, and property disputes. Once a court passes one, it is bound by legal authority and may lead to liens on a person’s property, wage garnishments, or a negative credit score.

What Is a Judgment in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, a judgment is a written order of a court that adjudicates a claim in a legal action. This is spelled out in Rule 54.01 of the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. A judgment may order one party to pay a sum of money, refrain from certain actions, and transfer real property. Once they are on record, judgments have legal validity. In addition, they may be enforced through legal remedies such as liens, garnishments, or levies.

In Kentucky, a creditor may take legal action to recover their money if a person fails to repay a loan or medical debt. Likewise, in a family court, a judgment may establish child support or spousal maintenance obligations. In Kentucky, regardless of the judgment type, they affect finances and property ownership to a large extent until a debtor satisfies the condition of judgment or they expire.

Types of Judgments in Kentucky

Kentucky courts issue different types of judgments depending on the nature of a case:

1. Money Judgments

This is the most common type of judgment. Money judgments require a debtor to pay a specific sum of money to a creditor. These often arise in civil cases such as breach of contract, tort damages, and when there are unpaid debts.

2. Default Judgments

A default judgment is issued when a defendant fails to respond to a lawsuit or refrains from a court appearance. In such cases, the plaintiff wins, and the court grants the requested relief.

3. Property or Lien Judgments

Creditors may secure repayment of debt by filing a judgment lien on the debtor’s property, such as their real estate or other property. In Kentucky, liens are recorded with the county clerk’s office. It prevents the real property from being sold or refinanced until the judgment is paid off.

4. Family Court Judgments

Family-related cases often result in judgments involving child support, custody, or spousal maintenance (alimony). These are enforced without exception, often through wage withholding, license suspension, or contempt proceedings if payments are not made.

5. Criminal Restitution Judgments

In certain criminal cases, Kentucky courts may issue restitution judgments. This requires offenders to compensate victims for financial losses. These types of judgments are similar to civil judgments and remain enforceable until satisfied.

How to Search for Judgments in Kentucky

Judgment records are public in Kentucky and may be sourced in several ways:

1. Circuit Court Clerk’s Offices - Each county maintains judgment records through its Circuit Court Clerk. Individuals may search in person and also request certified copies.
2. Kentucky Court of Justice Online Services -The state’s CourtNet system allows registered users, including attorneys and certain public agencies, access to court records throughout the state. The Kentucky Court of Justice websiteprovides limited public access to case-related information. Interested parties may request comprehensive records from the respective clerk of court in the county.
3. Third-Party Services -These platforms aggregate judgment records across all jurisdictions in the United States. Members of the public may search judgments on these portals, although official records from the courthouse are the most accurate and may be obtained from the clerk of court.

Judgment records in Kentucky in general provide the following information:

• Case number
• Names of the parties involved
• Court location
• Judgment date
• Financial obligation and the type of relief granted

Judgment Records in Major Kentucky Counties

While Kentucky has a centralized court system, access to judgment records may differ across counties:

• Louisville (Jefferson County): Jefferson County Circuit Court is the busiest in Kentucky. Judgment records may be obtained at the clerk’s office, with electronic access available to attorneys through the CourtNet online portal.
• Lexington (Fayette County): Fayette County judgments are available through the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and on the statewide portal for registered users.
• Bowling Green (Warren County): Warren County provides judgment access through its Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Also, certified copies are available during in-person visits to the clerk's office.

Although authorized users may perform searches across counties on the statewide portal, the public may request records in person from the local court clerks.

How Long Does a Judgment Last in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, a civil judgment is valid and enforceable for 10 years from the date of entry under KRS 426.720. Nevertheless, this lengthy enforceability period ensures that outstanding debts are settled, and creditors may use tools to recover debts within that timeframe.

Creditors may also renew the judgment before expiration, extending enforceability even further. As a result, creditors may renew a judgment lien once for an additional 5-year period before the 10-year period ends following proper procedures. As a rule, no further renewals are allowed beyond the maximum 15-year window. To preserve enforceability during this period, creditors are required to file a Notice of Judgment Lien Enforcement Proceeding in the county clerk’s office.

What Happens After a Judgment Is Entered in Kentucky?

Once a judgment is entered, creditors have legal access to enforcement tools, and debtors face legal and financial consequences.

For Creditors:

• Wage Garnishment: Creditors may obtain a court order to withhold part of the debtor’s wages until the judgment is satisfied.
• Judgment Liens: Liens may be recorded against a debtor’s real estate or personal property. This prevents the sale or transfer of the property until the judgment is paid off.
• Bank Levies: With a court approval, funds may be seized directly from a debtor’s bank account. This may lead to the freezing of the debtor’s account.

For Debtors:

• Credit Reporting: Judgments often appear on credit reports. This lowers a person’s credit score and makes it difficult to secure loans or housing.
• Satisfaction of Judgment: Once the judgment is paid off, the creditor may file a Satisfaction of Judgment with the court, cancelling the obligation.
• Appeals or Motions to Vacate: If a debtor believes the judgment was entered without fairness, it may lead to dismissal of the judgment. This may happen in cases such as a default or when they are not notified about the judgment in accordance with standards. The debtor may appeal the judgment and does not need to proceed on fulfilling what it contains.