| Chapter 60 in the Kansas Statutes contain the state's | | | | the child resides with one or both parents in a |
| laws concerning child custody matters. This is crucial | | | | consistent matter. There is also a possibility for a |
| information for any parent in Kansas who is divorced | | | | divided residency, where one or more children lives |
| or separating. These laws especially affect the making | | | | with one parent and has parenting time with the other |
| of the parenting plan--which is the document that | | | | parent. This is rare. Parents should include in their |
| comes out of the custody proceeding. Here is the | | | | agreement how the children will have continuing and |
| pertinent information from the Statutes about custody | | | | frequent contact with both parents. |
| agreements that parents should know. | | | | 3. Submitting a parenting plan to the court. Article 16 |
| 1. Types of legal custodial arrangements. Article 16-10 in | | | | specifies that if parents can agree to the terms of |
| Chapter 60 lays out the types of legal custodial | | | | custody, they can submit a parenting plan together to |
| arrangements that parents can have in their | | | | the court. If they are not able to agree, each parent |
| agreements. Legal custody refers to the parental | | | | should submit a proposed plan and a judge will |
| obligation to make decisions about and for the child. | | | | determine the final agreement. When determining the |
| The parents can have a joint legal custodial | | | | best plan for the child, the judge will consider: |
| arrangement, where each parent has equal rights to | | | | - The desires of the parents in relation to custody. |
| make decisions in the best interest of the child, or the | | | | - The desires of the child concerning custody. |
| parents can have a sole legal custodial arrangement, | | | | - The interaction and interrelationship of the child with |
| where one parent has the right to make those | | | | parents. |
| decisions. The state has a preference for joint legal | | | | - The child's adjustment to the child's home, school and |
| custody, and if there is a sole agreement, there needs | | | | community. |
| to be reasons why it hurts the child to have a joint | | | | - The willingness and ability of each parent to respect |
| agreement. | | | | and encourage the bond between child and other |
| 2. Types of residential arrangements. After the legal | | | | parent. |
| determinations are made, the residential arrangements | | | | - Evidence of spousal or child abuse either by the |
| need to be figured out. Article 16-10 explains the | | | | parent or someone with whom the parent resides. |
| various types of residential plans that parents can | | | | - Whether a parent or someone with whom a parent |
| have. The parents can have an arrangement where | | | | resides is subject to Offender Registration. |