KANSAS DIVORCE PAPERS WITH EXPLANATIONS

The documents listed below are the primary documents for a Kansas uncontested divorce. You will notice that some of the documents apply with children. If you do not have minor children, these documents are typically not required.

Understanding the Kansas Divorce Papers:

• Petition for Divorce: The Petition for Divorce identifies the parties, states a history of the marriage, their children, if applicable, and the grounds and the requested relief. This form is filed first and is officially requesting the court to proceed with a divorce.
• Verification (for Petition): The Verification is a notarized statement signed by the petitioner that he or she filed the Petition in good faith with accurate information to the best of his or her knowledge.
• Marital Settlement Agreement: This notarized agreement entered into between a husband and a wife establishing the terms and conditions of their divorce and resolving such matters as property division, debts, child custody, child support, visitation, debt, alimony, insurance, tax, and settlement of any property issues when they end their marriage to each other. Signed by both parties, the MSA is approved by a judge. The MSA is often considered the main document of the divorce because it resolves the issues that must be addressed to properly terminate a marriage. This document is typically incorporated into the final Decree of Divorce, as the court uses it to outline the orders it puts in place.
• Schedule for Visitation of Minor Children: This schedule shows the visitation and parenting time routine for the noncustodial parent. It is important to outline a schedule as to the number of overnights and which parent will have the child(ren) on which holidays. Deviating from the schedule is very common, but it is good to start on the same page.
• Domestic Relations Affidavit: The Domestic Relations Affidavit, which must be verified and notarized, profiles the domestic situation of the divorcing couple -- their finances, their children, and the income and expenses. The court requires this information to be well informed as well as knowing the parties have disclosed this information to one another.
• Child Support Schedule: The schedule lists child support payments based on the income of the parents. It is used in conjunction with the Child Support Worksheet.
• Child Support Worksheet: The Child Support Worksheet is used to compute each parent's share of child support according to the Kansas Child Support Guidlines.
• Declaration Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act: The UCCJEA declaration certifies that the parties comply with the UCCJEA and establishes the place of residence of minor children involved in the divorce action. Establishing a residence is important so the court can determine whether or not it has jurisdictional rights to make decisions regarding the child(ren).
• Parenting Agreement: The Parenting Agreement or Plan, either temporary during divorce negotiations, or permanent, negotiated by the parties as part of the divorce settlement, establishes the terms and conditions of custody and visitation.
• Entry of Appearance and Waiver of Service: An affidavit of Appearance and the Waiver of Rights, filed by the respondent, tells the court that he or she waives the right to notice of the Petition for Divorce, and that he or she will not file an Answer to the Petition.
• Notice of Final Hearing: The petitioner completes this form. It informs the respondent of the Final Hearing with the location, date and time.
• Decree of Divorce: The Decree of Divorce, when signed by the judge, ends the marriage, thus finalizing the divorce.