Kansas Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Kansas — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Kansas
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Kansas courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Kansas court requirements.
Child Support in Kansas
Kansas uses the Income Shares Model under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines adopted by the Kansas Supreme Court. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and applied to a child support schedule to determine the total obligation. The obligation is divided proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, childcare, and parenting time. The guidelines are updated periodically by the Kansas Supreme Court.
Official Kansas child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| Petition for Divorce (With Children) | Petition for Divorce With Minor Children |
| Child Support Worksheet | Kansas Child Support Guidelines Worksheet |
| Parenting Plan | Parenting Plan |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Kansas requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Under K.S.A. 23-3001, both parents in a divorce involving minor children must attend a court-approved parent education program within four weeks after the action is filed, or as directed by the judge. The program covers the impact of divorce on children. Cost is typically $25-$50 per parent.
Typical cost: $40
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Kansas forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.