Child Support in Kansas

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support her or his child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, then the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.

However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support to the custodial parent. Kansas cases involving child support are under the jurisdiction of the District Courts. There is a court in each of the state’s 31 counties.

In Kansas , this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have legally declared your child as emancipated or your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.

Terminating Rights

Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless certain requirements are met. There may be some situations where a court terminates financial responsibilities if both parents agree that one party no longer has to provide financial support to their shared son or daughter. One situation where a parent may be able to terminate her or his responsibility to child support is if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.

Kansas provides three methods by which parental rights can be terminated: adoption, relinquishment, and ordered termination. Adoption and relinquishment both require the request or consent of the parents. These requests must be in writing using a Relinquishment Form. They also must be acknowledged in front of a judge. Ordered termination must be based on clear and convincing evidence that the parent is unfit. Kansas law provides numerous factors that can be considered in a termination proceeding. Some of these include:

• The parent’s emotional, mental, or physical illness or disability

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Conviction and imprisonment for a felony

• Failure to care for or meet the needs of the child

A Kansas court will make all termination decisions based on what is in the best interest of the child.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Kansas lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.

Get in contact with us today to get in touch with an experienced legal advocate in your area.

How a Kansas Child Support Attorney Can Help You

If you constantly struggle to get the other parent to pay, hiring a lawyer can help you learn about your available options and guide you on the best decision for your son or daughter.

Many people struggle with parents who refuse to pay. Hiring an experienced and dedicated lawyer will bring you professional help while navigating the legal system. Additionally, you may also have an easier time getting the money your child needs and deserves to better ensure a stable childhood.

Kansas Child Support Services is responsible for ordering, modifying, and enforcing child support in Kansas. They partner with the courts and 4 contractors statewide to carry out these functions. In addition to establishing paternity and locating non-custodial parents, the agency has numerous enforcement options. According to the Child Support Services Handbook, income withholding is usually the most effective means to collect child support. Alternatively, the delinquent parent’s driver’s license, passport, and professional or recreational licenses can be restricted. In extreme cases, the agency can request an order for contempt. This could result in fines or even jail time.

Whether you look to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and look to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Kansas with a background in child support can help to streamline the entire process. In fact, without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can quickly drain your bank account. It could also create traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.

Working with an attorney can help you to:

• Establish paternity
• Answer a child support petition
• File a petition for support
• Request a child support order
• Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
• Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
• Represent you in court
• Locate the other parent
• Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
• Prove income
• Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate how much you will owe
• Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
• Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent

Do you believe that you deserve to receive payment from the other parent or that you are not receiving a sufficient amount? If you have to answer, yes, then make every effort to avoid missing what your kid deserves. Work with a dedicated Kansas lawyer who fights for your rights as well as your child’s rights.

Information to Share With Your Lawyer

As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can properly proceed with your case in Kansas . The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:

• Check stubs for the last two years or more if applicable
• Outstanding debts
• A change in debt, such as filing for bankruptcy
• Paternity records
• Adoption records
• Previous child support payment records
• Bonds, stocks or any retirement account records
• Tax return records
• Purchase of sale records for a home, land, or any other type of assets
• Any child support forms that you have

Child support payments in Kansas are calculated using the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. The formula begins with the gross incomes of both parents. The Child Support Worksheet will be used by the court to determine the amounts that each parent is responsible for. Typically, the custodial parent is to spend their portion directly on the child. Then, the noncustodial parent typically makes payments directly to the custodial parent or through Child Support Services.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Kansas

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to an attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.

One of our expert Kansas attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Kansas state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!