Are you thinking about filing for divorce or need to respond to a spouse’s divorce petition in Kansas City or Johnson County, Kansas? The attorneys at The Dickerson Law Firm know that divorce can be one of the most emotionally trying times in a person’s life. We understand what is at stake: your finances, property, emotional well-being, and your children. Due to the potential impact of a divorce, it is important to hire an experienced divorce attorney to represent your interests. The attorneys at The Dickerson Law Firm have the knowledge and experience to protect your rights in a divorce. Our Kansas City divorce attorneys are committed to an aggressive approach to make sure our client’s rights are protected and their interests furthered on all of the main disputes in a divorce proceeding. Whether your case can be resolved by an agreement with the other side, or whether your case needs to go all the way to trial, our lawyers are equipped to put you in the best position to come out ahead in your divorce proceedings. Our attorneys can guide you through the complicated process and make sure you are protected at every turn. In a divorce, there are several issues that must be addressed before the divorce can be completed:
Divorces with Children
There are several issues that arise in regard to children in divorce. The three common things that a Kansas court will decide in divorce are 1) the custody of the children, 2) parenting time with the children, and 3) child support for the children.
Custody actually refers to who legally has decision-making power as to the children. In Kansas there is Joint and Sole Legal Custody. In Joint Custody situations both parents have decision-making power over the children. In Sole Custody situations only one parent has decision-making power over the children. The majority of the time, Kansas courts award joint custody of the children, but there are instances where the court may award sole custody of the children if one of the parents is unfit. Parenting time refers to the time that parents have to visit their children. The primary residential custodian is the parent that lives with the children the majority of the time. In determining custody and parenting time, Kansas courts use a legal standard to make decisions – i.e. What is in the best interest of the Child? Having an experienced Kansas City Divorce attorney puts you in the best position to protect yourself and your children. Our lawyers focus on the individual issues – child custody, parenting time, and child support. These issues are often the most important in a divorce, and our attorneys are prepared to stand up for our clients to make sure that they are put in the best position possible to protect their rights with their children.
Division of Property
In divorce, the property of the marriage will be divided. Kansas courts require that the property be divided in a just and equitable manner. This does not always mean 50-50. All property, regardless of where or how it was acquired is often construed as marital property to a Kansas court. This means that Kansas courts have the ability to divide almost all the parties property in divorce. The common property issue that arise are divisions of the real and personal property, and maintenance. Maintenance is also known by a few other terms such as alimony or spousal support. The court has discretion to make a party pay alimony (what is called maintenance in Kansas), pay child support, and divide the parties real and personal property. Having an experienced divorce attorney can help assure that you are treated fairly through the divorce process, and that your assets are protected in a manner consistent with your wishes. Whether it is negotiating with the other side to settle your divorce, or taking the other side all the way to trial, the divorce lawyers at the Dickerson Law Firm have the ability to help you protect your assets and your finances.
Protecting Your Interests and Your Rights
Our Kansas City Divorce attorneys can fully inform you of all your legal options, and put you in the right position to make sure your legal rights are protected. We offer free initial consultations with no obligations. Contact us now for a free initial consultation, and see if we can help you with your divorce.
