Ronald W. Nelson PA
~ A Family Law Practice ~

 

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Ronald W Nelson;
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RONALD W NELSON PA is a Kansas law firm focusing its practice on complex divorce and other domestic relations disputes, which including martial and non-marital separation, determination of parentage, child custody and parenting time, as well as representing parents in international and interstate child abduction and jurisdictional disputes. Trained in Collaborative Family law, the attorneys at Ronald W. Nelson PA are Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

 

Licensed to practice only in the State of Kansas

 

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ( F A Q s )

 

We frequently receive questions about basic issues about how Kansas law and about issues of critical importance to everyone involved in family law. As professionals, we feel it is important for correct answers to those questions to be readily available. We have, therefore, provided as a public service on this page answers to many of the many of the frequently asked questions we receive.

 

Please keep in mind that the information provided is very general and anyone involved in a family law dispute should contact a qualified attorney to find out how the law applies to that person’s own specific situation. Although domestic relations is governed primarily by state statutes, individual judges determine how those to apply those statutes in any individual case and situation. Domestic relations law is not “black-and-white” and the statutes do not specify exactly how the courts are to decide any case or issue. Instead, the applicable statutes provide judges and attorneys only broad principles to apply in deciding how to determine domestic relations issues – such as “equitable distribution,” “best interests of the child,” and to decide what is “fair and appropriate” in any case.

 

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.

 

v      About Ronald W. Nelson, PA

v      Information

v      Intake Questionnaires

v      Frequently Asked Questions (This page)

à         The Basics

à         Attorney Representation

à         Costs and Fees

à         Starting the Process

à         Property Division

à         Alimony, Maintenance, and Spousal Support

à         Child Custody, “Visitation,” and Parenting Time

à         Child Support

à         Post Decree Problems

à         Miscellaneous Questions

v      Handouts

v      Scholarly Articles

v      Legislative Testimony

v      Internet Law Links

 

v      Frequently Asked Questions:

 

The Basics

 

*      What kinds of domestic relations actions can be filed in Kansas?

*      How long do I have to live in the state to file for divorce in Kansas?

*      How long does a divorce take?

*      What is an "uncontested" divorce?

*      What are the “grounds” for divorce in Kansas?

*      Can I claim that my spouse is "at fault" for our divorce?

*      Can my spouse claim I am the reason we are divorcing?

*      What happens if my spouse doesn’t want a divorce?

*      What happens if my spouse says I “can’t have” a divorce?

*      What is a “Petition”?

*      What is "divorce planning"?

*      HELP! I was just served with a divorce!

*      What is an “Answer?”

*      Can I date after filing for divorce?

 

Attorney Representation

 

*      Can one lawyer represent both my spouse and me in our divorce if we agree?

*      Do I have to have a lawyer represent me in a divorce?

*      Can I represent myself in a divorce?

*      Can I have a lawyer help me represent myself in my own divorce?

*      Are the things I tell my attorney private?

*      What is “collaborative family law?”

 

Costs and Fees

 

*      How much does it cost?

*      What are "court costs"?

*      Can I make the other person pay my attorneys fees?

*      What is “collaborative family law” and how much does it cost?”

*       

 

Starting the Process

 

*      What do I have to do to start a domestic relations case?

*      What are the “grounds” for divorce in Kansas?

*      Can I claim that my spouse is "at fault" for our divorce?

*      What is an "uncontested" divorce?

*      What happens if my spouse says I can’t have a divorce?

*      What is “collaborative family law?”

*      What is a “Petition”?

*      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?

*      Can I make the other person pay my attorneys fees?

*      Can I date after the divorce is filed?

*      When is a divorce "final"?

*      Will I have to go to trial?

 

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"?

*      What happens if my spouse and I want to reconcile?

*      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?”

 

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?

*      Can I refuse to pay child support because the other parent is not letting me see our children?

*      What is a "material change in circumstances" to change custody?

 

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 let the other parent see our children because I am not getting child support?

*      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?

 

Post Decree Problems

 

*      What are my rights as a divorced spouse to continuation health insurance?

*      Can I date after the divorce is filed?

*      What if I want to move and take my children after entry of child custody orders?

*      What is a "material change in circumstances" to change custody?

*      Where do I file a request to change child support?

 

Miscellaneous Questions:

 

*      My friends tell me . . . .

*      Can I change my child's name?

*      What is “common law marriage?”

*      different kinds of domestic relations actions can be filed in Kansas?

*      What are my rights as a divorced spouse to continuation health insurance?

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Ronald W. Nelson PA
~ A Family Law Practice ~
Suite 117; 11900 West 87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66215-4517
(Kansas City Metropolitan Area)
Telephone: (913) 312-2500 | Telecopier: (913) 312-2501
contact at:
ron@ronaldnelsonlaw.com

 

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Last updated 08/05/2009