Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 454 § 454.030
Forcible entry or detainer, how notice served
Operative Text
454.030 Forcible entry or detainer, how notice served. If the officer directed to serve notice on the defendant in forcible entry or detainer proceedings cannot find the defendant on the premises mentioned in the writ, he may explain and leave a copy of the notice with any member of the defendant's family thereon over sixteen (16) years of age, and if no such person is found he may serve the notice by posting a copy thereof in a conspicuous place on the premises and by mailing a copy of the notice to the mailing address of the premises mentioned in the writ by regular mail through the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid. The notice shall state the time and place of meeting of the court.
Kentucky Revised Statutes § 454.030 establishes how legal notice must be delivered to a defendant in a forcible entry or detainer (eviction) proceeding when the defendant cannot be found in person on the property. The serving officer may leave a copy with a family member over sixteen years old who is present on the premises, or, if no such person is available, may post a copy in a conspicuous place on the property and mail a copy to the premises address by regular U.S. mail with prepaid postage. In all cases, the notice must state the time and place of the court proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 454.030, landlords initiating forcible entry or detainer proceedings should understand that the law provides a structured process for serving notice when a defendant is not personally available. Compliant operators generally ensure that the serving officer has accurate mailing address information for the premises so that any required mail service can be completed properly. Familiarity with this provision helps property managers confirm that service was carried out in a legally recognized manner before a court date proceeds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 454.030 governs how you may receive notice of a forcible entry or detainer action, which means notice could be delivered to a family member over sixteen on the premises, posted on the property, or mailed to your address — even if you were never personally handed the document. Tenants who believe notice was not served in accordance with this provision may have grounds to raise improper service as an issue in the court proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand whether the notice they received — or did not receive — met the requirements of § 454.030.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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