Wichita Family Law Attorneys

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The practice of “family law” is more than just divorce; it is helping people protect the ones they love at every stage, and working to create a stable future for them. The Wichita family law attorneys at Joseph, Hollander & Craft provide effective representation and find solutions that fit your needs. We are skilled advocates who can represent you in any family law matter.

Whether you are ready to file for divorce, need to obtain custody of your child, need to modify a prior order, or are considering adoption or guardianship, our team ready to assist. Contact our family court lawyers today to learn how we can help with your situation.

Why Choose our Wichita Family Law Attorneys?

Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s family law attorneys in Wichita are dedicated advocates and savvy counselors. With decades of combined experience, our team has served thousands of clients in and around Kansas. When you retain our family lawyers in Kansas, we will be your courtroom champions, your shrewd negotiators, and your patient counselors when your financial future or your familial relationships are at stake.

Our Wichita family lawyers are committed to simplifying the complex legal system for clients by maintaining open communication and explaining the law clearly. We can help you understand your options and provide sensible advice for any family law situation.

Family Law Representation for Every Situation

Every family is different, and so we recognize that each client’s needs are different, too. Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Wichita family law attorneys offer practical counsel and strategic guidance in a wide range of areas. You can rely on us to assist you with:

• Custody, Visitation, and Parenting Time. Our Wichita family law attorneys have ample experience drafting creative parenting plans, modifying child custody orders, handling emergency situations, and finding solutions that fit your family’s needs. We handle all matters related to children with compassion and understanding and strive to achieve plans that serve the best interests of the children.
• Child Support. Joseph, Hollander & Craft can assist you in obtaining child support orders that are fair, accurate, and in accordance with the law. We are skilled in analyzing incomes and applying appropriate modifications. Our Wichita child-support attorneys are committed to obtaining and enforcing child support orders that accurately reflect both parents’ incomes as well as each child’s individual needs.
• Paternity. Families are often created outside of marriage. Our Wichita family law attorneys advise clients regarding paternity, establish parenting rights and obligations for biological fathers, and prepare parenting plans in parentage actions.
• Adoption and Guardianship. Our Wichita adoption lawyers help clients with kindship and stepparent adoptions. We also represent clients seeking guardianship of both minors and impaired adults, and natural guardians seeking to terminate previously established guardianships.
• Grandparent Rights and Visitation. Grandparents seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren, and parents who need to set boundaries between children and grandparents, can all benefit from legal counsel. Our team in Wichita can help.
• Premarital and Post-Marital Agreements. Our Wichita family law attorneys draft and prepare premarital and post-marital agreements, and advise clients of the consequences and outcomes of proposed agreements. We strive to protect you and reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
• Divorce, Annulment, and Legal Separation. Whether you need a divorce, an annulment, or legal separation, you should seek legal counsel. Our Wichita divorce attorneys can assist with crafting an agreement that works for you, and addresses issues such as:
  • Property Division. Dividing a life can be a challenge, even in the most amicable divorces. We are especially skilled in handling complex property division issues, including division of family owned businesses and matters involving cryptocurrency. We know how to protect your financial interests and financial security.
  • Spousal Maintenance. Whatever your situation may be, Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Wichita family lawyers are equipped to handle all of your family law needs. We work diligently to help you achieve the goals you set for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Wichita

How do I establish that I am the father of my child if I was not married to the child’s mother when the child was born?

Kansas law provides several presumptions that can be used to establish legal parenthood of a child. One can establish a presumption of paternity by being married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth, acknowledging paternity of the child in writing, being named as father on the child’s birth certificate, or through genetic testing. If one of these presumptions are met, legal parental rights can be established with the court through a paternity action. In a paternity action, parents can also establish legal and residential custody of the child, a parenting plan for the two parents, and child support.

Does it matter which spouse files for divorce first?

The outcome of the divorce is not dependent on who files first. However, the party that files first will have the opportunity to establish temporary orders concerning who will reside in the marital residence and an initial child custody schedule if children are involved. These temporary orders can be modified by the party that did not file first, but they will be the standing court order until a motion to modify is filed and ruled on by a judge. Each individual case may have certain advantages or disadvantages to filing first. This is a decision that Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s skilled family law attorneys in Wichita can discuss with you and help you to make the right decision for your situation.

What is an annulment?

An annulment is an action to terminate a marriage that is void or a marriage that was induced by fraud. The proceedings are similar to that of a divorce, but the exact process may vary based on what grounds for annulment are being alleged and the length of the relationship of the parties prior to the annulment action. If the annulment action involves property and children, a very similar process to a divorce will take place. It is rare that an annulment action would be necessary instead of a divorce action.

Who keeps the rental properties in a divorce?

Kanas courts divide assets by what it fair an equitable, which is not always a 50/50 split. For real estate, the court will review your circumstances and make a determination.

If you do not want a judge to make the decision for you, you might consider settlement options such as:

• Selling the properties and splitting the proceeds
• One spouse buying out the other spouse’s interest in the real estate holdings
• One spouse keeping the real estate while the other spouse takes an equitable amount of other property
• Jointly creating an LLC to hold the rental properties, so that you both retain the value of the property

Our Wichita family law attorneys routinely represent clients who are seeking creative ways to divide their property that will not harm their businesses. Rental properties are no different. We can help.

If I don’t know my assets/debts (or my spouse’s), how do I figure that out?

The first place to start when reviewing your or your spouse’s assets/debts is to collect and review all financial documents (including those of joint accounts). These include:

• Credit card statements
• Bank statements
• Mortgage statements
• Tax returns
• Property deeds
• Investment account statements
• Loan documents
• Insurance policies

You might also want to have your finances reviewed by a financial planner or forensic accountant. The Wichita family law attorneys at Joseph, Hollander & Craft can conduct an investigation into your assets/liabilities or recommend a professional who can do a deep dive into your finances.

What typically goes into a “prenup”?

A typical premarital agreement will include the following information, should the marriage end in divorce:

• Instructions for dividing real and financial property
• Instructions for dividing debt and other liabilities
• An explanation for how spousal support or alimony will be paid and by whom
• How closely-held businesses will be handled during and after a marriage
• How income and investments will be handled during a marriage
• How gifts to the couple or one of the spouses will be handled during the marriage, and if it ends in divorce
• How future inheritances will be handled during the marriage, and if it ends in divorce

How do accusations of abuse factor into a family law case?

A family law case can be significantly impacted by accusations of any type of abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual. If a child is involved, the court will likely alter the custody agreement, if not take custody away from the accused altogether. Supervised visitations might also be added to the agreement. A Wichita criminal defense attorney can help you understand the impact accusations of abuse have in a family law case.

Why is there a Guardian at Litem involved in my family law case?

The main role of the Guardian at Litem (GAL) is to act as an advocate for the child. They provide a neutral, unbiased evaluation of your circumstances, evaluate the situation, and make recommendations to the court based on the best interests of the child.

Typically, GALs are involved in cases where:

• Parents cannot reach a resolution about custody.
• One (or both) parents are facing accusations of abuse or neglect.
• Someone is seeking guardianship of a minor or vulnerable adult.

Do You Have a Family Law Attorney Near Me?

Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Wichita office is located at 500 N. Market Street, on the corner of Market and Central Ave. there is plenty of onsite parking. The firm also maintains offices in Topeka, Lawrence, Overland Park, and Kansas City, MO for your convenience. We proudly serve clients in Sedgwick County, Butler County, Harvey County, Reno County, and beyond.