OK MY SISTER IS IN A VERY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP SHE TRIED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM AND TAKE THE CHILDREN BUT WAS NOT ALLOWED BY A JUDGE WHAT CAN SHE DO?

My guess is that the judge was not saying she had to stay with her husband, but rather saying she can't leave the state with the children.  She should call a local shelter and consult with an attorney. She can probably file a Protection from Abuse petition against her husband and have him removed from the home.

It isn't clear whether she is married to his man or not.  This makes a difference.  If married, she needs to file for divorce and seek custody of her kids.  If she is not married, then she needs to secure custody of her kids either in juvenile court or domestic relations courts.  In Ohio, there is a law that states an unmarried mother is the sole custodian of the child.  I don't know if Kentucky has a similar statute.  But the underlying issue is whether the dad has any custodial rights.  If he doesn't then I don't understand why she can't leave with the kids.  If he does have parental rights recognized, then she will have to address those either by filing for divorce (if married) or filing a motion to modify custody (if unmarried).  Whatever path she chooses, she will have to accumulate all the evidence she can as to the abuse, drug use/dealing, etc.  She is looking at a lot of work.  Of course, hiring an attorney is the best route to take and she should also exhaust all possible sources of money that could potentially help her retain a lawyer.   Simon W. Johnson   swj@swjlawoffice.com Law Office of Simon W. Johnson Martindale, Avvo, Justia, LawGuru LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Serving Cleveland and Ohio, 44124