KY BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield KY BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A lawyer in Kentucky wishes to enter into a business transaction with a current client. Which requirement is NOT necessary under Rule 1.8(a)? → The transaction must be approved by the Kentucky Bar Association
2. A grand jury indicts a defendant based partly on hearsay evidence. The defendant moves to dismiss the indictment. The motion should be: → Denied, because an indictment may rest on evidence that would be inadmissible at trial
3. A trustee in Kentucky invests the entire trust corpus in a single speculative stock. Which duty has the trustee most likely breached? → The duty of prudent investment, including diversification
4. A driver suffers an unforeseeable heart attack and crashes into a storefront. In a negligence action, the driver's best defense is: → The sudden medical emergency negates breach of duty
5. A confidential relationship plus active participation in drafting the will by a substantial beneficiary in Kentucky generally raises: → A presumption or inference of undue influence, shifting the burden of going forward
6. What are prior inconsistent statements used for? → To impeach a witness's credibility by showing contradictory earlier statements
7. At trial, a party calls a witness who unexpectedly gives damaging testimony. Under the Kentucky Rules of Evidence, the calling party: → May impeach its own witness, since any party may attack a witness's credibility
8. A Kentucky lawyer wants to communicate about a case with an opposing party who is represented by counsel. Under Rule 4.2, the lawyer may do so only if: → The other lawyer consents or the contact is authorized by law or court order
9. A corporation's articles of incorporation must include which of the following under the MBCA? → The corporation's name, number of authorized shares, and registered agent information
10. A trial court in Kentucky must decide whether a witness qualifies as an expert on accident reconstruction. In making this preliminary determination, the court: → Is not bound by the rules of evidence, except those on privilege
11. What is the doctrine of sovereign immunity? → The principle that the government cannot be sued without its consent
12. Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a defendant who wishes to assert lack of personal jurisdiction must raise it at what point or risk waiver? → In the first Rule 12 motion or responsive pleading, whichever comes first
13. Which of the following state agency actions is generally NOT subject to the hearing requirements of KRS Chapter 13B? → Promulgating a regulation of general applicability
14. In Kentucky, an adult may consent to his or her own adoption placement; a birth mother's consent to adoption is not valid if given: → Before 72 hours after the child's birth
15. In Kentucky, how is marital property divided upon dissolution? → In just proportions without regard to marital misconduct
16. Under the UCC, what is the primary rule for determining the place of delivery for a sales contract involving goods? → Delivery must be made at the location specified in the contract
17. In Kentucky, what is the statutory period required to establish title by adverse possession of real property? → 15 years
18. O conveys "to the school board so long as the land is used as a school." What future interest does O retain? → A possibility of reverter
19. A driver's license is suspended without any prior hearing under a Kentucky statute. The strongest constitutional challenge is based on: → Procedural due process, because a license is a protected property interest
20. Under Kentucky law (KRS 507.020), which of the following mental states supports a conviction for murder absent an intent to kill? → Wantonness manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life
21. A Kentucky trust instrument contains a spendthrift clause. Which creditor can still reach the beneficiary's interest? → A claimant with a judgment for child support or maintenance
22. What is the Rule Against Perpetuities? → A rule requiring that future interests must vest within a life in being plus 21 years
23. Within what period after probate must an interested party generally file a will contest appeal in Kentucky district court proceedings? → Two years from the order admitting the will to probate
24. A minor purchases a car, drives it for six months, then disaffirms the contract and returns the damaged car. In most jurisdictions, what may the minor recover? → The full purchase price, because a minor may disaffirm and need only return what remains
25. Under Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure, when can a defendant file a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted? → Within 30 days after service of the complaint
26. To prove undue influence invalidating a Kentucky will, a contestant must ultimately show: → Influence that destroyed the testator's free agency and substituted another's desires
27. Which doctrine generally requires a party to pursue all available administrative remedies before seeking judicial relief in Kentucky courts? → Exhaustion of administrative remedies
28. Before most Kentucky administrative regulations become effective, they must be reviewed by which body? → The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee of the legislature
29. Under Kentucky law, what is the sole ground for dissolution of marriage? → Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
30. A child is born to a married woman in Kentucky. Her husband's legal status regarding the child is: → Presumed to be the father, a presumption rebuttable in a paternity action