Kansas City Family Law Attorneys

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Our Kansas City family law attorneys at Joseph, Hollander & Craft are experienced in diverse areas of family law matters, helping clients through some of life’s toughest challenges with experience and compassion. We specialize in family law matters, including divorce, paternity, custody, parenting time, and property division, and we are committed to protecting your rights and achieving a successful outcome. We know the importance of putting clients first, and you can trust that you have a skilled advocate by your side at every step of the process.

Family Law Attorneys Near Me

You can visit Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s family law attorneys in Kansas City at 926 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64106. We are located between E. 9th Street and E. 10th Street, across from Ilus W. Davis Park. Our office is just a short walk from the Jackson County Courthouse for the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri.

Why Should I Hire a Kansas City Family Law Firm?

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, we have the family law experience to meet your unique needs. We are experienced in handling complex family law cases, including high-net-worth divorces, custody disputes, prenuptial agreements, and other familial disputes that require a firm understanding of the intricacies of Missouri family law.

Our legal knowledge combined with our practical, compassionate approach allows our clients to focus on their needs while we deal with the complexities of their case. We work for you to make the process easier, prepare you for the steps ahead, and offer guidance and support throughout. Our goal is to reduce our clients’ stress during legal proceedings; our client testimonials speak to that endeavor.

Types of Cases We Handle

Our Kansas City family law attorneys and counselors are committed to helping you realize your objectives as efficiently as possible. The types of cases we take include:

Prenuptial Agreements

We work with clients to draft agreements that protect assets and outline financial responsibilities before marriage. Our Kansas City lawyers can prepare, review, and revise prenuptial agreements to protect your interests and advise you on what terms are fair, reasonable, and enforceable.

Legal Separation, Annulment, and Divorce

We understand that couples sometimes don’t want to move straight to divorce. We work with individuals who wish to live separately without dissolving their marriage through divorce. At the same time, our lawyers can skillfully guide you when you wish to seek an annulment or a divorce. Whether your case is uncontested or complicated, we can handle it while protecting your financial security in the process.

Property Division

Dividing up assets during a divorce can be complicated and emotional. We aim to divide assets and debts fairly in a divorce or separation. Our Kansas City divorce attorneys are skilled at managing complex property division issues, including those surrounding high net-worth divorces and divorces involving jointly held businesses.

Spousal Support & Alimony

There are several factors that determine if a spouse qualifies for spousal support or alimony:

• Did both spouses work?
• Did one spouse stay home and take care of the children, thus putting their career on hold?
• Is there a significant income disparity between the spouses?
• Will a divorce upset one spouse’s lifestyle if they were to depend only on their income?

Our Kansas City divorce attorneys are equipped to handle all complexities that arise in divorce lawsuits, including alimony matters. We will help prepare your family and future for financial security after a divorce.

Custody, Visitation, and Parenting Time

We understand your children’s interests are of paramount concern at all times. Whether you need to address child custody, visitation, or parenting time during a divorce or paternity action, or if you need assistance modifying a custody order or parenting plan after the fact, our Kansas City child custody lawyers can help.

Child Support

Our team is dedicated to acquiring and enforcing child support orders that fairly account for both parents’ incomes, obligations, and each child’s specific needs.

Paternity Matters

If you have a paternity dispute, we can make the process of validating paternity one of ease. It is important to establish legal fatherhood for custody, child support, or inheritance matters. Our paternity lawyers help individuals all over the Kansas City area ensure the privileges and rights of parents and their children are recognized and protected.

Guardianships

We establish temporary and permanent guardianships for individuals in and around Kansas City. If you need assistance formalizing your role in caring for a minor child, we are ready to help.

Grandparent Rights

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, we are dedicated to protecting children’s best interests with respect to all family members. We know that family custody and visitation disputes are complicated, and we pride ourselves on working through these matters delicately while considering the emotions involved. Our attorneys help grandparents establish and secure visitation rights, and we help parents develop boundaries to protect their children.

Adoptions

Our Kansas City adoption attorneys assist with step-parent adoptions and kinship adoptions, including grandparent adoption, sibling adoption, and adoptions by aunts, uncles, godparents, and other extended family members. We can guide you through each step of the adoption process.

Kansas City Family Lawyers: FAQs

How Long Does a Divorce Case Take?

In the Kansas City metro area, the length of a divorce case can vary significantly depending on whether it’s contested or uncontested. Uncontested divorces, where both parties agree on the terms, tend to resolve more quickly, often taking about one to three months. In contrast, contested divorces, which involve disagreements between the parties, may take several months to years due to additional court appearances and legal complexities.

Missouri has a mandatory 30-day waiting period after filing for divorce before it can be finalized. Kansas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period. These waiting periods are in place to give individuals time to reflect on their decisions. If all matters are uncontested, a final divorce decree can be entered soon after the waiting period expires. Disputes regarding property division and child support or custody may require court attention, adding to the timeline.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

An uncontested divorce is a type of divorce in which both parties agree on all terms, including property division, child custody and support, and spousal support. Because all issues are settled amicably, the process typically requires less litigation and can be quicker and less expensive than a contested divorce.

How Much Does a Family Law Attorney in Kansas Cost?

The cost of a Kansas City family law attorney will vary depending on factors like the attorney’s experience level, the resources the attorney offers, the case’s complexity and the extent of disputes between the parties, and the case’s duration. Our lawyers charge hourly rates starting at $275/hour. We require an initial deposit to begin our work and discuss what sort of financial investment to expect depending on the unique circumstances of each individual case—as the work required to take a case to trial on multiple issues will consume more time and fees than the work required to a negotiate a fair division of a small sum of assets.

How Do I Find the Right Family Law Attorney for My Case?

To find the right family law attorney for your case, you can follow these general steps:

• Look at platforms like Google, Avvo, or Yelp for client reviews, focusing on feedback about response time, outcomes, and client satisfaction.
• Choose attorneys who specialize in family law issues like divorce, custody, or child support.
• During your initial consultation, pay attention to how thoroughly the attorney addresses your concerns. If you believe you have a unique case, prepare questions about the firm’s experience in handling cases similar to yours.
• Request detailed information on their fee structure so you can plan accordingly.

How Can Joseph, Hollander & Craft Help Me?

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, our attorneys are skilled litigators, strategic negotiators, and compassionate legal counselors. When navigating issues that impact your financial future and family dynamics, we provide strong courtroom advocacy while ensuring clear, consistent communication. Our attorneys take the time to explain complex legal matters in simple terms, helping you understand your options and providing legal advice that best supports your goals and your family’s well-being.

Need Help With Your Family Law Case? Speak to an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today

Navigating a family law case can be daunting and emotional. We understand this and are dedicated to providing you with the support you need during this challenging time. Whether you are facing divorce, custody disputes, or other family-related legal issues, we are here to assist you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.