Kansas City Family Law Attorneys

Overland Park-Based Law Firm Helping Families Resolve Disputes in Kansas & Missouri

A Message to Our Family Law Clients

Over the past week, our family law attorneys have been inundated with calls from concerned parents regarding custody exchanges in the wake of the Covid-19 virus crisis. If you have children who are subject to a Court ordered custody and visitation schedule, please follow the Court’s order unless there is some agreement between the parents to suspend the parenting time because of health concerns.

Health department officials have recommended quarantine of any person in a household who has contracted the virus or come into contact with someone who is confirmed to have the virus. But, even in those situations that does not give you “authority” to not follow an order. It is with the consent of the other parent that you can feel comfortable in suspending the parenting plan until such a time as when parents agree that it is safe to resume parenting.

Missouri Clients:

Kansas City’s Stay at Home Order does not specifically address custody exchanges.

St. Louis County’s Stay at Home Order excludes essential activities that does include:

Activities necessary care for a dependent in the person’s legal custody, including acts essential for a parent with legal custody to transfer the physical custody of the child.

In the absence of specific guidance by the Courts, many family law professional associations have adopted St. Louis County’s definition of essential activity to include custody exchanges.

Kansas Clients:

Johnson County, Kansas has gave similar guidance to Kansas families:

The Emergency Order of Local Health Officer specifically defines an essential activity as any action necessary to comply with valid court orders. Parenting plans, including exchanges of minor children between parents, remain valid court orders, previously found to be in the minor children's best interests.

Joint legal custody parents may make other agreements they deem to be in the children's best interests. Court ordered exchanges shall occur as stated in the parenting plan unless the parents agree otherwise in writing.

Failure to comply with an order of contempt, fines, and attorney fees being levied against the non-compliant party.

Parties may alter a possession schedule by agreement if allowed by their Court Orders. Many parents may be cooperative to a loss of parenting time, if an agreement is reached that the time will be compensated in the future.

Our attorneys will be happy to assist you in memorializing an agreement between the parties. Of course, we will keep our clients up to date to any changes or clarifications we get from the Courts in the handling of these situations.

If you would like guidance in how to handle custody situations, please do not hesitate to contact our office for an appointment at 913-661-0222 or email sivy@gatesshields.com

Helping Clients File for Divorce in Kansas & Missouri

The team at Gates Shields can help you understand your rights and options so that you can make informed decisions about your family’s future. Our firm has helped thousands of people resolve even the most complex family law cases since 1980. Let us put over 260 years of combined experience to work for you.

Contact our Overland Park or Liberty family lawyers at (800) 574-4428 for a free initial consultation about your divorce or family law matter today.

Handling All Types of Family Law Issues

Many issues fall under the umbrella of family law. Our firm can assist you in resolving any of these with an unwavering focus on achieving your distinct goals.

We handle:

• Divorce, both Contested or Uncontested
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Child Support
• Alimony/Spousal Maintenance
• The Division of Marital Property and Debts
• Modifications of all Family Court Orders
• Paternity Cases
• Premarital and Post-Marital Agreements
• Mediation in Divorce and other Family Law Disputes
• Relocation with Children
• Guardianships
• Adoptions
• Grandparent Rights
• Protections from Abuse (PFA) and Stalking (PFS) Orders
• Collaborative Divorce

Every family law case is unique and requires a personalized approach. Our Overland Park or Liberty family lawyers will work diligently to resolve your matter with a strategic plan aimed at meeting your needs and goals.

Family Law Mediation

Though our family lawyers are skilled litigators offering experienced representation in court, we strive to resolve family cases through alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.

Mediation is a simpler, cost-effective alternative to litigation that allows families to talk through their disputes and arrive at a positive resolution without a judge’s intervention. Many cases can be resolved through mediation, and most clients find that it yields more desirable results.

Whether you are filing for divorce or facing some other type of family matter, we urge you to contact us at (800) 574-4428 to discuss your case today.