Divorce Basics: How Are Cases Assigned in Jefferson Family Court?
In Jefferson County, Kentucky, which covers the Louisville metro area, the way cases are assigned to judges has changed over the years. It used to be an alphabetical system, where cases were assigned based on the parties’ last names. Now, Jefferson Family Court uses a more modern approach to ensure fairness and efficiency.
How Case Assignment Works Now
Today, when a case is filed in Jefferson Family Court, the Clerk of the Court assigns it to a judge through a system designed to:
- Support the idea of “one family, one judge”—so the same judge handles all matters for a family.
- Evenly distribute cases among the judges.
- Ensure the process is fair, impartial, and not influenced by the parties involved.
What About Case Transfers?
Sometimes, cases need to be moved to a different judge. This can happen if a judge recuses themselves or if another judge agrees to take over the case. When a judge steps down, the Court Administrator will randomly assign the case to another judge.
Judges Covering for Each Other
If needed, judges can cover for one another by agreement, keeping things running smoothly.
By moving away from the old alphabetical system to this more flexible and random process, Jefferson Family Court ensures that cases are assigned fairly and handled efficiently for everyone involved.
If you are thinking about filing a case in Jefferson County, consider calling our office to schedule an appointment with a Lynch Cox Family Law attorney today.