Kentucky · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Kentucky: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Kentucky, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Kentucky

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$2,500
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$58
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Kentucky

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
No fixed deadline
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
7 days (URLTA areas only)
Notice before the landlord enters
2 days (URLTA areas only)

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Kentucky

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
Payday or 14 days
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Kentucky

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 mo / 12,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
Required

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Kentucky

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Mid-May, after PVA conference
Where you appeal first
County Board of Assessment Appeals
Median effective tax rate
0.75%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,544

Closed for 2026As of October 21, 2026, the 2026 appeal window is closed: PVA conferences and county appeals ended in May (June 12 in Jefferson County), and Board of Tax Appeals petitions were due 30 days after each county board decision. The next window opens with the 2027 tax roll inspection period, normally May 3-17, 2027, with county appeals due about May 18, 2027; ask the PVA for a conference as soon as your notice arrives. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Kentucky

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
None statewide

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Kentucky

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Kentucky Unclaimed Property
Held by the state
Nearly $1.1 billion
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Kentucky

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
180 days
Waiting period
See the guide
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Kentucky

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt
10 years (written contract), 5 years (open account)
Wage garnishment limit
25% (federal limit)
State license for collectors
See the guide

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Kentucky

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Kentucky
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a depositNo fixed deadlineTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent7 days (URLTA areas only)Tenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedPayday or 14 daysWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 mo / 12,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineYou must file a lawsuit under the lemon law within 2 years after the original delivery of the new car to you (KRS 367.842(8)).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealMid-May, after PVA conferenceTax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file180 daysDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodSee the guideDivorce Law Map
Debt collectorsTime limit to sue on a debt10 years (written contract), 5 years (open account)Debt Collector Map

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