Child Custody & Support

Lenexa, Kansas Child Custody Attorney

Terms You Should Know

Legal Custody: The legal authority to make decisions or act on behalf of a child.

Joint Legal Custody: This is the most common situation. It allows either parent to make a decision for a child. For example, either parent could authorize emergency medical treatment.

Sole Legal Custody: This means that only one parent has the authority to sign papers or make decisions for the child.

Residential Parent: This is the parent with whom the child lives on a daily basis. In some states this person is called the “custodial parent.”

Shared Residency: In this situation the child resides for some amount of time in each parent’s home. The exact time is specified in the parenting plan.

A child custody or child support case may begin at the time of a divorce or because of a paternity case. If you need help bringing a custody or support case to court, contact my Lenexa, Kansas law office. I am family lawyer Valerie L. Moore, and I use my seven years of family law experience and mediation skills to help families reach fair and cost-effective solutions to child custody matters.

Petition for Child Custody and Parenting Time

Child custody is a hotly contested issue in most divorce cases. Strong emotions can make it difficult for parents to work together to develop a custody plan based on their child's best interest. This is when a trained mediator can be particularly helpful. Learn more about mediation and how I can help you and your child's other parent reach a child custody / parenting time agreement that is acceptable to all parties.

I assist clients with Kansas child custody modifications when a change in circumstances requires a change in parenting time or custody, such as:

• Move-away situations
• Child abuse or neglect
• Parental illness
• Incarceration

Contact me for help with:

• Filing a motion to modify a child custody order
• Initial child custody and parenting plans in Kansas divorce and paternity cases
• Questions about grandparent visitation rights

Child Support and Modification of Support Orders

Kansas child support guidelines specify, to a great degree, the amount of support that a non-residential parent will pay. If you are considering divorce and wonder how Kansas child support guidelines might impact you, contact me. I can explain how the child support calculation applies in your situation.

Situations do change over time and you may need to request a modification of your original child support order if, for example:

• Your income goes down because of a job loss or change
• Your ability to carry insurance changes
• Your child's need for daycare changes
• The amount of time the child spends with you increases or decreases
• The child develops special medical needs

Problems Getting Your Child Support?

As your Kansas child support lawyer, I can be of continuing help to you if you are having problems getting the child support you are owed. I help custodial parents seek enforcement of court-ordered support and I work with parents who are in arrears on support to negotiate payment plans. Contact my Lenexa office.