Have you seen a motion filed by your attorney or the opposing party citing a rule with an acronym you do not understand? If your case is in Kentucky, citations to abbreviations like CR, FCRPP, and RAP are commonly used in legal pleadings, but they are not always clearly explained in a way that laypeople can easily understand.
“CR,” or “Civil Rules,” refers to the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules apply broadly to civil court cases across the state, including family court. The Civil Rules apply in family law cases, although they are supplemented by a separate set of rules specifically designed for family court.
The Kentucky Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice, abbreviated as “FCRPP,” govern how family law cases are handled in Kentucky family courts. These rules were created to address the unique needs of family law matters, including divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. The FCRPP provide a structure for how cases are filed, scheduled, and heard. They aim to make family law proceedings more consistent across the state, although there can still be significant differences across localities.
In addition to the statewide rules, many counties have local rules. For example, parties in Jefferson County must also be aware of the Jefferson Family Court Rules of Procedure and Practice, known as the “Jefferson Family Court Rules” or “JFRP.” These rules apply specifically to family law cases filed in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and they supplement the statewide rules with additional requirements or guidelines that reflect the unique practices of the Jefferson Family Court. Local rules may govern how motions are scheduled, how exhibits are submitted, and how emergency matters are handled. Attorneys practicing in Jefferson County are expected to be familiar with these local procedures, and parties who are representing themselves should review them carefully or seek guidance to ensure compliance.
The rules are subject to updates and changes, which can be significant. For example, in 2022 the Supreme Court entered an order creating a new set of rules for appeals, called the Kentucky Rules of Appellate Procedure, abbreviated “RAP”, while also amending other statewide rules. The new rules became effective January 1, 2023, and some practitioners have been sanctioned by the Court of Appeals for failing to follow them.
There are other rules that might come up in the family law context. If you are involved in a family law or juvenile case in the Louisville area or elsewhere in Kentucky and have questions about which rules apply, consider reaching out to our team.