Kansas City, MO Family Law Attorneys | Jackson County

Kansas City, MO Family Law Attorneys Representing You in Jackson County

Going through a family law matter can be a very trying experience for most people. We understand that and we understand importance of your family. When you are faced with any type of family law issues and difficulties in Kansas City, Missouri, you need an empathic attorney on your side.At Stange Law Firm, PC , you are the focus. Because we are only dedicated to family law, you can be sure that your attorney has the experience to guide you through every aspect of your case. From our office in Kansas City, Missouri, we can help when you need someone to fight for you and your family.We have two offices in Jackson County, MO because we want to be near both courthouses. For example, in Jackson County, there is a courthouse in Independence and in downtown Kansas City. We also feel as if clients shouldn’t have to travel to one central location. Instead, we believe access is easier when we are in more than one location.

Your Kansas City, MO Family Law Attorneys and Law Firm in Jackson County

Gaining knowledge about the local courts and Missouri family law can be helpful for you to understand the process better. For your assistance, you can find more information about the Jackson County Court System in Kansas City, Missouri by following these links:

Jackson County Circuit Clerk’s Office: Click this link to view the Jackson County Circuit Clerk’s website.
Jackson County Family Court Rules: Rules and regulations of the Jackson County Court.
Map to Jackson County Courthouse: Google Map directions to the Jackson County courthouse.
Jackson County Family Law Forms: View this link for the list of the Jackson County Family Law Forms.
Missouri Child Support Estimate: This link will help you get an estimate on how much your child support may be in Jackson County.

However, it is also important to discuss the particulars of your case with an attorney. To schedule an initial consultation with our Kansas City family law attorneys to do so, call 816-631-0307 or contact our law firm online.You can find out more information on our Kansas City Family Law Blog. On our blog, we post regular articles on divorce and family law matters to help readers understand how the family law process can work. We also want to keep individuals up-to-date on new developments.

Kansas City, Missouri Family Lawyers in Jackson County

When you are going through a tough time like a family law matters, you need an attorney who is going to understand you and help you understand your rights in the process. We represent clients in a wide-range of family law matters in Kansas City, MO from our office coming in Lee’s Summit, Missouri including but not limited to:

Kansas City, Missouri divorce attorneys in Lee’s Summit: Our attorneys can help with your divorce or separation matter in Kansas City.
Lee’s Summit, Missouri divorce lawyers in Kansas City: We have the resources and legal staff to help with divorce or separation issues in Lee’s Summit.
Kansas City, Missouri paternity lawyers in Lee’s Summit: We represent clients and their paternity matters in Jackson County.
Kansas City, MO child support lawyers in Lee’s Summit: Our attorneys are experienced and can assist in your child support matter in Jackson County.
Kansas City, Missouri child custody attorneys in Lee’s Summit: Child custody matters can be a difficult time for an individual. Our attorneys can help.
Father’s Rights in Kansas City, Missouri in Lee’s Summit: Father’s have the same rights. Our Kansas City and Lee’s Summit lawyers can help.

If you are not sure whether we can assist with your case, please feel free to contact us. We’d be glad to talk with you to see if representation might be possible.At this website, you can also read articles about family law, view informational videos, seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application or view child support calculator for Missouri. We provide this information because we want to make information accessible to those in need. Having said that, it is still important to discuss the particulars of your individual matter with an attorney knowledgeable about family law.The attorneys that we offer at Stange Law Firm, PC have been recognized for numerous awards for divorce and in family law. Some of these awards include: Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer Rising Stars, Avvo Suburb Rating, Lead Counsel Rated, and many more. For more information about our lawyers and to see the awards they have earned, you can visit their individual biographies.

What is Family Law in Kansas City, MO?

Family law refers to the practice of helping individuals with family relationships. It includes helping families pick up the pieces of their lives, while guiding them through this difficult time. Family law matters may include the dissolution of marriage, child custody and child support matters, adoption, paternity, and father’s rights issues. Because of the nature of these matters, family law cases tend to be very emotional and strenuous for the parties involved. At Stange Law Firm, PC, our attorneys are there to assists their clients through this difficult process. Family law practice may involve any of these following topics:

Divorce in Jackson County

Divorce is the process of breaking the bonds of marriage. When parties get married, they form a legal relationship. If they decide that they would no longer like to be a part of this relationship, they must file the necessary paperwork with the courts.Based on the state in which the divorce is being filed, the rules and procedures may vary. While all states allow for no-fault divorce, some states require a period of separation. Be advised that most states also have residency requirements that come into play when filing for dissolution.Each state has their own guidelines for how to divide assets and debts in a divorce, but the rules are similar in most states. In most cases, the court looks to make an equitable division of the assets. This doesn’t necessarily mean dividing the assets are equal for both parties. The court can look at things like the parties’ contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage and the needs of each party after the divorce. Misconduct such as infidelity or domestic abuse can also play into the court’s decision in terms of property and debt division and spousal maintenance.

Divorce is Civil Litigation in Kansas City, MO

Divorce cases are heard in state court. Similar to other forms of civil litigation, parties may work to gather evidence through depositions, interrogatories and subpoenas. Parties may also participate in mediation sessions, the collaborative process and other forms of conflict resolution. In many scenarios, cases may settle prior to a trial. However, some cases that involve contested divorces, high-assets, and certain other factors may have to go to trial.

Maintenance and Spousal Support in Jackson County

One of the most difficult issues in a divorce case is often maintenance and spousal support (previously referred to as alimony). Some states use a formula in order to determine the amount of support. In other cases, it’s left to the judge’s discretion. Even in cases where the court uses a formula, it’s still important to make sure that the court uses the proper procedures in order to arrive at the correct amount of support.One of the considerations for spousal support is the length of the marriage. Other factors include the parent’s ability to pay support and the amount of debt that was jointly accumulated. The court also takes into account the age of the parties involved and their ability to work. Finally, they consider the misconduct of either party. The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC work to present evidence of these factors to the court in order for them to be able to reach the best possible result.

Pre and Post-nuptial Agreements in Kansas City, MO

A prenuptial agreement is a contract that parties sign before they get married. Prenuptial agreements should contain detailed descriptions of the significant property and debts owned by each partner. Depending on the nature and complexity of these assets, a prenuptial agreement can be just a few pages – or a few hundred. At Stange Law Firm, we draft each prenuptial so that it meets the exact needs of our clients. There are some matters that can’t be included in a prenuptial agreement like child custody and child support agreements. Otherwise, the parties can create an agreement that outlines matters like separate property, distribution of the assets and spousal support in the event of a divorce. When the parties enter into this kind of agreement after they get married, it’s a postnuptial agreement.

Child Custody in Jackson County

Child custody is one of the most deliberated and emotional areas of family law. When it comes to custody of the child, most states base their decisions around the best interests of the child. The court takes into account which parent has the greater relationship with the child, whether or not each parent can provide a stable home environment for the child, and whether either parent has a history of substance abuse or a criminal background.If a parenting plan can be established by the parents, the court will usually follow this agreement. However, if the parents cannot agree, the family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC will present evidence to the court regarding the child’s best interests. This might involve presenting school records, testimony of a psychologist or substance abuse counselor, criminal records and even medical records. Our attorneys will work to gather the necessary evidence, while also ensuring to consider the rules of evidence that are applicable in the particular local jurisdiction.

Legal and Physical Custody in Kansas City, MO

Most states divide custody into legal custody and physical custody. Physical custody is who actually, physically has the child at any given time. Legal custody is who makes major decisions about the child. Physical custody and legal custody can be shared between the parties, or the court may award primary custody to one of the parents. It’s also possible to share one type of custody without sharing the other.It is imperative that family lawyers understand how the courts determine custody in their jurisdiction because rules between states can vary slightly. The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC help their clients understand the law and form realistic expectations so that they can make wise decisions as their case moves forward.

Child Support in Jackson County

Children have the right to support from both of their parents. The purpose of child support is to provide the child financial resources as if their parents lived under one roof, although it is common in most child support matters that the child’s parents live in separate households. The courts presume that the parent who cares for the child will provide direct support for the child.Each state has their own respective formula for calculating proper child support amounts. Most of these formulas factor in each parent’s income, the allowable tax deductions and other expenses, a child’s health insurance expenses, and whether they have child care needs. Certain states also factor in how much time each parent spends with the child, although this is not common practice by all states.The family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, PC work with their clients to ensure the child support is fairly and accurately calculated. If the other parents attempts to hide income, or is unemployed by choice, an experienced family attorney can assist their client in showing the entire situation. A family lawyer also reviews the calculations made by the court to ensure that no errors were made that could result in an unfair and inaccurate calculation of child support.

Abuse and Neglect Proceedings

Another sensitive area of family law practice involves abuse and neglect. If the state is under the assumption that a parent is not able to properly care for a child, they may choose to begin abuse and neglect proceedings. The state may represent a parent that is accused of abuse or neglects, or they might even represent a child.When family lawyers represent clients in abuse and neglect proceedings, they are working to help defend their client against the reports of abuse or neglect, or they are helping their clients regain custody of their children by assisting them in complying with services and other requirements. Because the standard for terminating parental rights is high, family lawyers work hard to advocate for their clients in a situation where the state is seeking to terminate those rights.

Contact Kansas City, MO Family Law Attorneys in Jackson County for a Consultation

If you need professional representation for a family law matter in Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Independence or the surrounding areas in Missouri, you can rely on Stange Law Firm, PC to help and fight for you.Kansas City, Missouri Office Location: 816-631-0307 | 1201 Walnut Street, Suite 975, Kansas City, Missouri 64106