Kansas

Child Visitation Laws

What is child visitation?

In general, courts in Kansas assume that it is beneficial for both biological parents of a child to have shared custody or visitation, unless it is shown to be against the child's best interests. A biological parent who is denied custody may be awarded visitation rights to provide for a relationship between the parent and child.

Visitation by grandparents, family members, or other third-parties is less clear cut in Kansas, and nationwide. While there are state guidelines regarding third-party visitation in certain situations, these laws are frequently challenged.

Above all else, courts in Kansas strive to make custody and visitation decisions that are "in the best interests of the child". The court handling each individual visitation case has significant flexibility in determining what arrangement is in the child's best interests. You can read about Kansas' visitation guildelines on this page.

In Kansas, a biological parent of a minor child may request visitation rights as part of an open divorce, parentage or custody case or may file a petition for visitation in none of these circumstances apply.

The court will decide a request for visitation based on whether granting a parent visitation would be in the "best interests of the child."

What is considered in a child's "best interests" depend on the child's emotional, social and educational needs, in addition to the child and parents' wishes.

A court may award visitation rights to a grandparents, however it must be in the child's "best interests" to do so and the child's parents may prevent a grandparent from visiting with their grandchild; however this decision must reasonable and be in the child's best interests.

In the state of Kansas, there are a number of laws regarding child visitation regarding visitation for third-parties other than the biological parents of the child. While state laws regarding third-party visitation have been frequently been challenged in courts, they are a good indication of Kansas' positions regarding non-parental visitation rights.

Visitation Rights Of Grandparents In Kansas:

Kansas has special statutes regarding the child visitiation rights of grandparents under different circumstances. Under state law, the grandparents of children may obtain visitation while the parents are alive, regardless of the parent's marital status.

Regardless of state presumptions regarding grandparent's visitation rights under specific circumstances, a Kansas court may allow or prevent visitation rights in any situation based on the best interests of the child.

Visitation Rights Of Other Parties In Kansas:

Are step-parents granted visitation rights in the state of Kansas?

Generally it is an uphill battle for step-parents seeking visitation rights for a step-child, especially if the biological parents of the child are alive and are opposed to the visitation.

Under Kansas law, legal provisions do exist to grant child visitation rights to step-parents under certain circumstances, so visitation can be readily applied for. In all cases, third-party visitation rights are more likely to be granted by the court if they are deemed to be in the best interests of the child.

Can other interested parties or relatives be granted visitation rights to a child in Kansas?

Under state of Kansas law, it is not generally possible for any other interested party other than those specified to be granted child visitation rights. In rare cases this may be overruled by the court.

Can parents be granted visitation rights after termination of parental rights or adoption in Kansas?

In the state of Kansas it is possible to be granted visitation rights after termination of parental rights or giving up a child for adoption. This is the case with both biological parents and previous guardians.