Louisville · KY · Vetted Directory

Top Landlord-Tenant Lawyers in Louisville

Whether you're a Louisville landlord trying to remove a non-paying tenant or a renter fighting an eviction or a withheld deposit, Jefferson County plays by specific rules. Louisville Metro has adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which sets a 7-day notice for nonpayment of rent and a 14-day notice for other lease violations — rules that don't apply in every Kentucky county. Evictions (forcible detainer) are filed in Jefferson District Court. The firms below handle Louisville landlord-tenant matters and appear across public legal directories.

URLTA
Adopted in Louisville Metro
7 days
Notice for nonpayment
14 days
Notice for lease violations
Jefferson Dist.
Court that hears evictions

Updated June 3, 2026

When you need a Louisville landlord-tenant lawyer

Plenty of simple evictions and deposit disputes get handled without a lawyer, but the stakes and the technicality rise fast. Talk to a Louisville landlord-tenant attorney if:

  • You're a landlord and a tenant isn't paying, is holding over after the lease ended, or has violated the lease, and you need the eviction done right the first time.
  • You're a tenant facing an eviction you believe is retaliatory, discriminatory, or based on repairs you legitimately requested.
  • A security deposit is being withheld without the accounting Kentucky's URLTA requires (KRS 383.580).
  • The dispute involves commercial property, a large dollar amount, or a unit outside Louisville where URLTA may not even apply.
  • There are habitability or repair problems the landlord hasn't fixed after proper written notice.
  • An eviction judgment is being appealed or a writ of possession is involved.

Kentucky's notice and deposit rules are unforgiving about details — the wrong notice period or a missing deposit accounting can sink an otherwise valid case — so a lawyer keeps the process clean and the timeline short.

What a landlord-tenant lawyer costs in Louisville

Routine evictions are often flat-fee; contested cases are hourly:

$400–$1,200
Uncontested eviction, flat fee
$200–$400/hr
Contested matters, hourly
URLTA
Governs Louisville rentals
Free
Many initial consults

Landlord-focused firms often handle straightforward Louisville evictions on a flat fee of roughly $400 to $1,200, while contested cases, deposit lawsuits, and commercial disputes are billed hourly. Court filing and service costs are separate from attorney fees. See our landlord-tenant guide and the attorney cost guide.

How long a Louisville eviction takes

  • Notice: under URLTA, 7 days for nonpayment of rent or 14 days for other lease violations before a forcible-detainer action can be filed.
  • Filing and hearing: the case is filed in Jefferson District Court, with a hearing typically set a couple of weeks out.
  • Judgment and writ: if the landlord wins, the tenant is given time to leave before a writ of possession allows removal.
  • Appeal: either side can appeal a forcible-detainer judgment, which extends the timeline.

Done correctly, an uncontested Louisville eviction often takes about three to five weeks from notice to possession. Getting the notice period and the URLTA requirements right at the start is what keeps it from dragging.

Louisville firms that handle landlord-tenant matters

1

Wetterer & Clare

Louisville, KYBoutique firmLandlord-tenant, real estate, evictions

A Louisville boutique that has assisted clients for over two decades, with attorneys concentrating in real estate, landlord-tenant, and related litigation and mediation. The firm has notable experience representing landlords, from individual investors to property-management companies overseeing many units.

Landlord-TenantBoutique firm
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2

Arnold Law, PLLC

Louisville, KYSolo / small firmLandlord-tenant, evictions

A Louisville practice with landlord-tenant attorney Melissa Arnold handling eviction and landlord-tenant matters and offering free initial consultations. A practical option for landlords and tenants who want direct attorney attention on a residential dispute.

Landlord-TenantSolo / small firm
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3

Dennis R. Carrithers, Attorney at Law

Louisville & Jefferson County, KYSolo firmLandlord-tenant disputes, evictions, real estate

A Louisville-area attorney with over 25 years handling real estate matters including evictions, serving Louisville, Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, and Oldham County. A fit for landlords who want an experienced hand on eviction and lease disputes.

Landlord-TenantSolo firm
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4

Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC

Louisville, KYLarge regional firmReal estate, landlord-tenant, commercial disputes

A long-established Kentucky firm listed among Louisville legal-service providers, handling real estate and commercial matters that can include landlord-tenant disputes. Best suited to commercial leasing and larger property disputes.

Landlord-TenantLarge regional firm
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Firm details are gathered from public legal directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, FindLaw); ratings not shown are not yet aggregated. We do not accept payment for placement.

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Landlord-Tenant in Louisville — FAQ

How much notice do I have to give a tenant in Louisville?
Because Louisville Metro has adopted Kentucky's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), you generally give a 7-day written notice for nonpayment of rent and a 14-day notice for other lease violations before filing an eviction. These URLTA notice periods apply in Louisville/Jefferson County but not in every Kentucky county, so the property's location matters.
Where are Louisville evictions filed?
Evictions — called forcible detainer actions in Kentucky — are filed in Jefferson District Court. After the notice period passes, the landlord files, a hearing is set, and if the landlord prevails the court can issue a writ of possession. Either side may appeal the judgment.
Can my landlord keep my security deposit in Kentucky?
Only as URLTA allows. Under KRS 383.580, a landlord must keep the deposit in a separate account, provide an itemized list of any damages, and give the tenant a chance to inspect before making deductions. A landlord who ignores these steps can lose the right to keep any of the deposit.
How long does an eviction take in Louisville?
Done correctly, an uncontested eviction usually takes about three to five weeks — the URLTA notice period (7 or 14 days), then filing in Jefferson District Court, a hearing a couple of weeks later, and, if needed, a writ of possession. A defective notice is the most common reason cases get delayed or dismissed.
Do I need a lawyer for a simple eviction in Louisville?
Not always — many landlords handle uncontested evictions themselves. But because URLTA's notice and deposit rules are specific, a lawyer is worth it when the tenant fights back, the property is commercial, the dollar amount is high, or a prior attempt was dismissed on a technicality.

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