Financial Analysis for Divorce and Marital Dissolution in Kentucky

By Christopher Skerritt, M.Ed., MBA, Chief of Economic Services · Published · Reviewed

KW Economics prepares financial analyses for divorce and marital dissolution matters venued in Kentucky: income available for support, the value of business interests in the marital estate, and the tracing of separate and marital funds, each presented so that either spouse or the court can examine the figures.

A divorce or marital dissolution matter asks what income each spouse has available for support, what the marital assets, including any business interest, are worth for the division of the estate, and which assets are separate rather than marital. Each is answered from the business books, tax returns, and account histories rather than from the tax return alone. Read the full divorce and marital dissolution analysis guide.

Kentucky courts and expert standards

Kentucky trial judges act as gatekeepers for expert testimony and ask whether the method is reliable, whether it has been tested and accepted in the profession, and whether it fits the facts of the case, with the witness qualified by training and experience. A damages report meets that inquiry by stating its assumptions and naming the data behind each one.

Where these cases are heard

Highest court: Kentucky Supreme Court. Federal venues: E.D. Ky., W.D. Ky. Court system: kycourts.gov.

Legal framework

Whether Kentucky divides marital property equitably or as community property, which valuation date applies, how income available for support is defined, and how the goodwill of a professional practice is treated are questions of law that counsel confirms; the report presents each finding so it can be applied under either party's position.

How the analysis is built

The same four steps apply to a divorce and marital dissolution matter venued in Kentucky; the governing framework in Kentucky decides how each finding is applied.

  1. Normalize the business's cash flow for owner compensation, personal expenses paid through the business, related-party dealings, and non-recurring items, listing each adjustment with its source.
  2. Value the business or practice as of the date the governing framework requires, under the income, market, and asset approaches as the facts support, and address personal and enterprise goodwill where the framework distinguishes them.
  3. Determine each spouse's income available for support from the same normalized statements, including distributions, perquisites, and cash flow retained in the business beyond reported salary.
  4. Trace separate property through the account statements step by step, classify commingled funds under the framework counsel identifies, and reduce pensions and deferred compensation to present value with the assumptions stated.

Attorney guides for divorce and marital dissolution cases

Other case types in Kentucky

Frequently asked: divorce and marital dissolution cases in Kentucky

Which Kentucky courts hear divorce and marital dissolution cases?

Divorce and Marital Dissolution cases venued in Kentucky are heard in the Circuit Court (General jurisdiction; larger civil cases, felonies, domestic relations). Final appeals run to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Matters within federal jurisdiction proceed in the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Western District of Kentucky.

How does Kentucky's family-law framework shape the financial analysis?

Whether Kentucky divides marital property equitably or as community property, which valuation date applies, how income available for support is defined, and how the goodwill of a professional practice is treated are questions of law that counsel confirms; the report presents each finding so it can be applied under either party's position. Kentucky trial judges act as gatekeepers for expert testimony and ask whether the method is reliable, whether it has been tested and accepted in the profession, and whether it fits the facts of the case, with the witness qualified by training and experience. A damages report meets that inquiry by stating its assumptions and naming the data behind each one.

More questions about divorce and marital dissolution analysis

References

Request a consultation on divorce and marital dissolution cases in Kentucky or call (201) 343-0700. Plaintiff and defense counsel.