Practice Areas

Divorce can take place in two ways: 

• Uncontested divorces are cases where a couple is in agreement on all terms of the divorce. Having an attorney to represent you during this process can help take the burden of preparing paperwork. 
• Contested divorces are case where a couple can not agree on all terms of the divorce, which could lead to complex litigation. 

Either way, having an attorney there to walk you through this process can help alleviate stress that divorces can place upon families.  

Child custody issues can be very stressful upon children and families. In Kansas,  in deciding legal custody, the court may order joint legal custody, which gives the parents equal rights to make decisions relating to the child. Alternatively, the judge may award sole legal custody to one parent. The preferred type of legal custody is joint legal custody, however the courts will always grant custody that is in the best interest of the child. 

In the State of Kansas & Missouri, both parents have a duty to support their children. Although a court could order one or both parents to make payments, typically the parent without primary residential custody—meaning, the parent who spends less time with the child or children —actually pays support. Whether you are trying to obtain child support or modify your existing child support payments, an attorney can help ease the process. 

Understanding your rights as a Father is very important. Your involvement in your child's life is equally as important as the other parent. In the state of Kansas, when a child is born to an unwed mother, the mother has sole custodianship. However, as the biological father, you have the right to seek child custody and visitation. In most cases, the court presumes that the child will benefit from both Mother and Father involvement. 

A child benefits from close relationship between grandparents . In the State of Kansas, grandparent rights are recognized. Under Kansas law, grandparents have a legal right to request court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren after a divorce, the death of a parent, or other legal proceeding involving child custody. The courts will grant visitation that is in the best interest of the child. 

In the state of Kansas & Missouri, a parent's rights can be terminated in one of two ways: 

• (1) Voluntary relinquishment: Where one or both natural parent's voluntarily gives up his or her right to the child. 
• (2) Involuntary relinquishment: The natural parent's rights may be terminated legally on several grounds. 

Along with termination of parental rights, a child may be adopted by a step parent or guardian. The courts will always grant what's in the best interest of the child. 

Estate planning including durable powers of attorney, estate taxes, living wills, general probate and estate tax procedures, and how to write your will can be overwhelming. This area of law allows you to focus on planning your future and having an attorney can make this process less stressful.