Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2026-08

Supreme Court of Kentucky

2026-08

ORDER

IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE COURT OF

JUSTICE, PART XV, SLIDING SCALE OF INDIGENCY

Effective January 15, 2026, nunc pro tunc, Administrative Procedures

of the Court of Justice, Part XV, Sliding Scale of Indigency, is amended as

follows:

Under KRS 403.761(4)(a), KRS 431.517(4)(a), KRS 453.190(2), KRS

456.100(4)(a), and KRS 533.250(3)(a), the Supreme Court hereby adopts the

following sliding scale of indigency:

Federal Poverty Guidelines Percentage Respondent is to Pay

200% 100%

175% 75%

150% 50%

125% 25%

100% 0%

The Federal Poverty Guidelines are established annually by the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. The 2026 Poverty Guidelines for

the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia may be found in the

Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 10, January 15, 2026, pp. 1797-1798, or as set

forth below:

2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States

Persons in family Persons in family

1 $15,960

2 $21,640

3 $27,320

4 $33,000

5 $38,680

6 $44,360

7 $50,040

8 $55,720

For families with more than 8 persons, add $5,680 for each additional

person.

If a judge finds that the fee would impose an undue burden on the

respondent, the judge may reduce or waive the fee. The sliding scale is

intended only as a guideline for judges, who are encouraged to use discretion

in applying the factors listed on Form AOC-275.14 when making an

indigency determination.

This Order shall be effective January 15, 2026, nunc pro tunc, and

until further Order of this Court.

All sitting; all concur.

ENTERED: February 16, 2026

______________________________________

CHIEF JUSTICE