There are many difficult elements to contend with when you pursue a divorce. You have to endure the division of assets, work out spousal support, and potentially deal with a lengthy and painful custody battle. This situation often ends up being the most contentious part of a divorce, especially if your spouse seeks to make things difficult for you on purpose. You should reach out to a Wichita divorce lawyer for help in putting a solid case together for custody.

There’s no telling what caused your divorce. If you’re the one who filed, you may be the only one who knows what ultimately caused you to end the marriage. If your spouse seeks a contested divorce, you will absolutely want an experienced legal professional by your side. You will want someone who has considerable experience handling cases like yours, as well as someone who understands the intricacies of Kansas divorce laws. Our firm can help you build a strong case.

Hire the Right Kind of Lawyer

When you are dealing with a custody battle, you shouldn’t take any chances. You don’t want to end up losing custody of your kids, after all. That is why it is so important to hire the right kind of divorce lawyer for your case. This could end up being a lengthy divorce process with many moving parts. At Stange Law Firm, our accomplished legal team can provide you with a personalized and empathetic approach to your case. We know the most effective ways to help.

A couple of things you may want to focus on during this process are the marriage and divorce rates throughout Kansas. Knowing that you aren’t alone in your decision to divorce can be helpful. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Kansas has a low divorce rate of 1.7 per 1,000 people as of 2023. The state’s marriage rate is average at 5.3 per 1,000 people in 2023, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

You may want to consider reaching out for additional help in dealing with your divorce. Depending on what led to your decision and how you are handling it, this whole situation could seriously affect your mental health. You may want to speak with a local group that focuses on divorce, like DivorceCare or Divorced Support Ministry, for help in finding ways to cope with everything. Talking to people who are going through something similar can be good for you.

Things to Keep in Mind During a Custody Dispute

In the ideal divorce, you and your spouse would be able to sit down and reasonably discuss a parenting plan that works for both of you. Unfortunately, many divorces, especially contested ones, result in custody battles where your spouse may seek full custody of your kids. If they have a strong case against you, you have to build one just as strong against them. Here are some important things to keep in mind when dealing with a custody battle:

  • The most important thing you always have to remember is that the family court’s number one priority will always be the welfare of your children. They must do whatever they can to ensure that the children’s well-being is prioritized, and that can include refusing your custody request and your ex’s. The court may propose a court-mandated custody option that will likely include joint custody.
  • Additionally, you want to make sure you do not do anything that can be seen as parental alienation. Parental alienation happens when one parent uses lies, bribes, or even threats to convince their child that their other parent is the problem. While not illegal, parental alienation can be seen as bad behavior by the family court, and the parent who is engaging in such behavior can lose custody if the court deems it so.

FAQs

Q: Can a Lawyer Assist Me With My Custody Dispute?

A: Yes, a lawyer can assist you with your custody dispute. When your relationship with your children is at stake, you don’t want to take chances. Hire an experienced lawyer to provide you with guidance and help you build a strong case that’s built on evidence of your parenting skills, among other factors. An accomplished lawyer’s help can prove to be worth the effort and expense as you navigate a painful divorce.

Q: Can a Custody Arrangement Be Changed in Kansas?

A: Yes, a custody arrangement can absolutely be changed in Kansas. However, you will be required to file the correct paperwork with the original court that ordered the previous arrangement. Custody modifications are quite common. People file them when they have to relocate, when they’re dealing with health issues, or when one parent’s employment status is going to change. Just make sure you notify the other parent and file everything properly.

Q: Which Parent Will Get Custody?

A: The parent who is the most fit typically gets custody, but there are a lot of factors to consider in these cases. Neither the mother nor the father is immediately seen as the primary caregiver in the eyes of the court. The judge will prioritize what’s right for the child, and that could include granting full custody to one parent. However, it’s likely the court will push for joint custody, as that ensures both parents maintain equal responsibility.

Q: Are Parenting Plans Legally Binding?

A: Yes, parenting plans are legally binding once they are approved by the family court. A parenting plan lays out every aspect of co-parenting, including who gets custody on certain holidays, how to handle vacations and school pick-ups, and even methods of settling conflicts. If your former spouse refuses to obey the plan, they could end up facing serious legal penalties from the court, including a contempt of court charge or even a loss of custody.

Contact Stange Law Firm Today

At Stange Law Firm, we know how to help you develop a sound strategy for your custody battle, as well as represent your interests throughout the rest of your divorce. Reach out to us to speak to someone on our legal team about how we can help.