Frequently Asked Questions:
We frequently receive questions about Kansas law on basic issues that are of critical importance to everyone. And we think it’s important that correct answers to these questions are easily available. So we provide our answers to these frequently asked questions on this page as a public service.
Keep in mind that the answers to these questions provides only general information. You should contact a qualified family law attorney to find out how the law applies to your own specific situation. Although domestic relations is governed primarily by state statutes, individual judges determine how the statutes apply to specific situations in individual cases.Family law is not “black-and-white.” And the applicable statutes don’t specify exactly how the courts must decide any case or issue. Instead, the applicable statutes provide guidance to attorneys and judges on applying broad principles in deciding family law issues, such as “equitable distribution,” “the child’s best interests,” and other similar legal principles.
The information provided on this page is not intended to provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the viewer and RONALD W NELSON, PA. See our disclaimer page for further information.
The Basics
- What kinds of domestic relations cases can be filed in Kansas?
- What is “Collaborative Family Law?”
- What are the grounds for divorce in Kansas?
- How long do I have to live in Kansas to file for divorce?
- What is an “uncontested divorce?”
- What is “common law marriage?”
- How long does a divorce take?
- Can I claim that my spouse caused our divorce?
- Can my spouse say that I am the reason for our divorce?
- What happens if I don’t want a divorce?
- What happens if my spouse says I can’t have a divorce?
- HELP! I was just served with divorce papers!
Attorney Representation
- Do I have to have a lawyer represent me in a divorce?
- Can I represent myself in a divorce?
- What is the risk if I represent myself?
- Can I have a lawyer help me represent myself in my own divorce?
- What happens in an initial consultation?
- What happens when I first come in to see an attorney?
- Are the things I tell my lawyer private?
- I don’t want anyone to know I talked with an attorney.
- Can one lawyer represent me and my wife (husband)?
- Can my spouse and I agree to use the same attorney?
Costs and Fees
- How much does a divorce cost?
- What are “court costs?”
- Can I make the other person pay my attorneys fees?
Starting the Process
- What is a “Petition?”
- What is an “Answer?”
- How do I respond to a divorce petition?
- What do I have to do to start a divorce?
- What do I do to start a case?
- Is it important to be the first one to file for divorce?
- What are temporary orders?
- How does the other person get the papers after they are filed?
- I’ve been served with a Petition for Divorce!! What do I do?
Property Division
- How is property divided in a divorce?
- What happens if my spouse says I can’t have any property?
- What is ‘divorce planning?’
- Can I get a better division of property because my spouse has committed adultery?
Alimony, Maintenance, and Spousal Support
- Can I get alimony from my spouse?
- What is ‘maintenance?’
- How is the award of spousal support determined?
Child Custody, “Visitation,” and Parenting Time
- Where do I file for child custody orders?
- Can I get “full custody” of my child?
- What is ‘legal custody?’
- What happens if there is a child custody dispute?
- What other child custody orders can be issued?
- What is ‘primary residential custody?’
- What is ‘shared custody?’
- Where do I file if I want to change a child custody order?
- What is a ‘material change in circumstances’ to change custody?
- What if I want to move and take my children after the child custody orders are entered?
Child Support
- How is child support determined?
- Where do I file a request for child support?
- How do I get my child’s medical expenses paid by the other parent?
- Can I refuse to allow the other parent to see our child if child support is not being paid?
- Can I refuse to pay child support because the other parent is not letting me see our children?
- Where do I file if I want to change a child support order?
Procedural Issues
- How long do I have to live in Kansas to file for divorce?
- How long does a divorce take?
- When is a divorce ‘final?’
- Will I have to go to trial?
- How can I get my maiden (or former) name restored if it wasn’t done in my Divorce?
Post Decree Problems
- How can I return to my maiden (or former) name if it wasn’t done in my Divorce Decree?
- What are my rights as a divorced spouse to continuation of health insurance?
- What must I do if I want to move after entry of child custody orders taking my children with me?
- What is a ‘material change in circumstances’ to change custody?
- Where do I file a request to change child support?
International Family Law Questions
- What is the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction?
Name Change Questions
- Can I change my child’s name?
- How can I change my name to something else (without a divorce being filed)?
- How do I get my maiden (former) name restored when I divorce?
- How can I get my maiden (or former) name restored if it wasn’t done in my Divorce?
Miscellaneous Questions
