Practice Areas

Divorce

Divorce is the dissolution of a marriage relationship. Divorce actions differ from other legal actions because they involve strong emotions of the parties, and because the decision will impact both parties and their children for the rest of their lives. Each divorce is unique, just as each relationship is unique. We strive for excellence in carefully navigating clients through the divorce process, making certain to have good communication and an understanding of the case.

Paternity

Much like a divorce case, a paternity case involves strong emotions. We are well versed in handling paternity actions, which include unmarried parents of minor children needing court orders for legal custody, parenting time and child support.

Custody and Parenting Time

When parents don’t agree, Kansas law requires the Court make decisions about children, including legal custody and parenting time, based upon the children’s best interests. The term legal custody refers to the ability of each parent to make decisions regarding a child’s health, education, and welfare. The term parenting time refers to the time that a parent spends with his or her children. In many cases, custody and parenting time disputes are resolved through alternative dispute resolution. If not, we are experienced in helping our clients pursue custody and parenting-time matters through the Court system, including evidentiary hearings and trials.

Visitation by Grandparents

Kansas law also affords visitation to grandparents and stepparents, as long as the visits serve the child’s best interests and the child has a substantial relationship with the grandparent/stepparent. We are knowledgeable in this area and are able to advise clients on how best to proceed either in dealing with parents in reaching an agreement, or requesting formal orders from a court.

Child Support

In Kansas, child support is determined by the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. In making that determination we look at the parties’ incomes before taxes, the number and ages of the children, costs for health insurance, costs of daycare, parenting time exercised by each party, and other specific factors to determine what child support should be paid. The child support worksheet is the rendition of that calculation, and while it can seem complicated, an explanation of the child support process usually helps to calm any concerns.