Kansas City's Trusted Family Law Firm | Call (816) 343-5678
Kansas City's Trusted Family Law Firm | Call (816) 343-5678
Trusted Divorce Representation Throughout the Kansas City Metro Area
Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, Independence, and All Surrounding Communities
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling divorce cases in both Kansas and Missouri courts. We understand the nuances of divorce law in both states and provide strategic representation tailored to your jurisdiction. From filing the initial petition to finalizing your divorce decree, we guide you through every step with clear communication and skilled advocacy.
Our Kansas City divorce attorneys have established relationships and extensive experience in local family courts throughout the metro area, including:
Missouri Courts:
Kansas Courts:
This local court knowledge gives our clients a strategic advantage. We understand local judges' preferences, court procedures, and how to effectively present your case in Kansas City area family courts.
Kansas City's unique bi-state location means divorce laws can differ significantly depending on which side of State Line Road you live on. Ellis Family Law's dual-state expertise ensures you receive accurate guidance for your specific jurisdiction.
Missouri: Either spouse must be a Missouri resident for at least 90 days before filing for divorce in Missouri courts.
Kansas: Either spouse must be a Kansas resident for at least 60 days before filing for divorce in Kansas courts.
Missouri: Missouri is a "no-fault" divorce state. The only ground needed is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" with no reasonable likelihood of reconciliation. Missouri does not require proof of fault like adultery or abandonment.
Kansas: Kansas also allows no-fault divorce based on "incompatibility." Kansas additionally recognizes fault-based grounds including failure to perform marital duties, but most Kansas City divorce cases proceed on no-fault grounds.
Missouri: Missouri requires a 30-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized.
Kansas: Kansas requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce decree can be entered.
Missouri: Missouri follows "equitable distribution," meaning marital property is divided fairly (not necessarily equally) based on factors like each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to the marriage, and conduct during the marriage.
Kansas: Kansas also uses equitable distribution principles. Kansas courts consider factors like age of parties, duration of marriage, property owned by each spouse, future earning capacity, and other relevant circumstances.
Missouri: Missouri courts consider factors including financial resources, earning capacity, standard of living during marriage, duration of marriage, age and health of spouses, and contributions as homemaker when determining maintenance.
Kansas: Kansas law presumes maintenance is appropriate for marriages lasting 10 years or longer. Kansas considers similar factors to Missouri when determining amount and duration of maintenance.
Your divorce journey begins with a confidential consultation with an Ellis Family Law attorney. We discuss your situation, explain your options, answer your questions, and develop an initial strategy for your case. We'll help you understand whether Kansas or Missouri law applies to your divorce and what that means for property division, spousal support, and other critical issues.
Your attorney prepares and files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the appropriate Kansas City area court. The petition outlines basic information about your marriage, children (if any), property, and what you're requesting from the court.
The divorce petition must be properly served on your spouse, giving them official notice of the divorce proceedings. Your spouse then has a specified time period to file a response.
If immediate issues need resolution (child custody, use of marital home, temporary support), we can request temporary orders from the court to establish arrangements during the divorce process.
Both parties exchange financial information, documents, and other relevant information. This may include interrogatories, requests for production of documents, depositions, and subpoenas. In high-asset cases, we work with forensic accountants and valuation experts to ensure accurate asset identification and valuation.
Most Kansas City divorces settle without trial. Your attorney negotiates with your spouse's attorney to reach a fair settlement on property division, spousal support, and other contested issues. We may utilize mediation or collaborative law to facilitate settlement when appropriate.
If settlement isn't possible, your case proceeds to trial. Your Ellis Family Law attorney presents evidence, examines witnesses, and advocates for your interests before a judge. Kansas City family courts don't use juries in divorce cases—the judge makes all decisions.
Once all issues are resolved (either by settlement or trial), the court enters a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. This final judgment legally ends your marriage and establishes the terms of property division, spousal support, and other matters.
Both Kansas and Missouri distinguish between marital property (subject to division) and separate property (remains with the individual owner).
Marital Property typically includes:
Separate Property typically includes:
Kansas City's strong economy means many divorces involve complex assets requiring specialized expertise:
Spousal maintenance (also called alimony) provides financial support from one spouse to the other after divorce. Both Kansas and Missouri courts have authority to award maintenance, but the standards differ.
Missouri courts consider factors including:
Missouri maintenance can be temporary (rehabilitative) or permanent (long-term), depending on circumstances.
Kansas law creates a rebuttable presumption that maintenance is appropriate for marriages lasting 10 years or longer. For shorter marriages, the requesting spouse must demonstrate need and ability to pay.
Kansas courts consider:
Ellis Family Law proudly serves divorce clients throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area:
Kansas City (Downtown, Midtown, Plaza, Brookside, Waldo, Northland), Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Buckner, Greenwood, Lone Jack
Key Zip Codes: 64012, 64014, 64015, 64029, 64030, 64050, 64052, 64053, 64054, 64055, 64056, 64057, 64058, 64063, 64064, 64065, 64075, 64081, 64082, 64083, 64086, 64101, 64102, 64105, 64106, 64108, 64109, 64110, 64111, 64112, 64113, 64114, 64116, 64117, 64118, 64119, 64120, 64123, 64124, 64125, 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, 64131, 64132, 64133, 64134, 64136, 64137, 64138, 64139, 64145, 64146, 64147, 64149, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158
Liberty, Gladstone, Kearney, Excelsior Springs, North Kansas City, Smithville, Pleasant Valley, Claycomo, Avondale, Mosby, Holt, Ferrelview
Key Zip Codes: 64024, 64060, 64062, 64068, 64116, 64117, 64118, 64119, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158, 64161, 64163, 64164, 64165, 64166, 64167
Platte City, Parkville, Riverside, Weatherby Lake, Lake Waukomis, Platte Woods, Houston Lake, Ferrelview, Tracy
Key Zip Codes: 64079, 64150, 64151, 64152, 64153, 64154, 64155, 64156, 64157, 64158, 64161, 64163, 64164, 64165, 64166, 64167
Belton, Raymore, Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill, Peculiar, Garden City, Drexel, Freeman, Cleveland, Archie
Key Zip Codes: 64012, 64070, 64078, 64083, 64701, 64728, 64734, 64740, 64743, 64744, 64745, 64746, 64747
Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Prairie Village, Merriam, Mission, Roeland Park, Fairway, Westwood, Mission Hills, Lake Quivira, Spring Hill, De Soto, Gardner, Edgerton
Key Zip Codes: 66006, 66007, 66012, 66013, 66018, 66021, 66025, 66030, 66031, 66043, 66051, 66061, 66062, 66083, 66085, 66202, 66203, 66204, 66205, 66206, 66207, 66208, 66209, 66210, 66211, 66212, 66213, 66214, 66215, 66216, 66217, 66218, 66219, 66220, 66221, 66223, 66224, 66225, 66226, 66227
Kansas City (KS), Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Piper, Muncie, Maywood
Key Zip Codes: 66012, 66101, 66102, 66103, 66104, 66105, 66106, 66109, 66110, 66111, 66112, 66113, 66115, 66117, 66118, 66119
Please reach out to us on our Contact Us page if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Uncontested divorces can be finalized in 30-90 days in Missouri (after the mandatory 30-day waiting period) or 60-120 days in Kansas (after the 60-day waiting period). Contested divorces involving complex property division or disputes over custody typically take 6-18 months, depending on the complexity of issues and court schedules.
Divorce costs vary significantly based on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, the complexity of your assets, and whether you have children. Uncontested divorces are generally less expensive ($2,500-$5,000) while contested divorces can range from $10,000-$50,000+ for high-asset or highly contentious cases. During your consultation, we provide transparent information about our fee structure and estimated costs for your specific situation.
No. Both Kansas and Missouri allow no-fault divorce. In Missouri, you only need to show the marriage is "irretrievably broken." In Kansas, "incompatibility" is sufficient grounds. You don't need to prove adultery, abuse, or other fault grounds, though evidence of misconduct may be relevant to property division or maintenance decisions.
Not necessarily. Many Kansas City divorces settle through negotiation or mediation without going to trial. However, you will typically need to appear in court at least once for the final hearing when the judge enters your divorce decree. If your case is contested and cannot settle, you'll need to appear for a trial where the judge decides disputed issues.
Both Kansas and Missouri use "equitable distribution," meaning property is divided fairly based on various factors, not necessarily 50/50. Courts consider duration of marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, contributions to marital property, and conduct during marriage. Separate property (owned before marriage or received as a gift/inheritance) generally remains with the individual owner.
Possibly. Kansas creates a presumption of maintenance for marriages lasting 10+ years. Missouri doesn't have such a presumption but considers factors like financial need, earning capacity, age, health, and standard of living during marriage. The amount and duration of maintenance depends on your specific circumstances.
In both Kansas and Missouri, you can obtain a divorce even if your spouse objects. These are "no-fault" states, meaning you don't need your spouse's agreement to divorce. If your spouse doesn't respond to the divorce petition, you may be able to obtain a default judgment. If they contest the divorce, the court will resolve disputed issues.
No. Professional ethics rules prohibit one attorney from representing both spouses in a divorce due to conflict of interest. Each spouse should have their own attorney to protect their individual interests. In truly uncontested cases where you've already agreed on everything, one spouse may proceed without an attorney, but we recommend both parties have independent legal counsel.
We understand that your divorce is unique. Unlike large firms where you're just another case number, Ellis Family Law provides personalized attention to every client. Your attorney will know your name, your situation, and your goals throughout your case.
We keep you informed at every stage of your divorce. You'll receive prompt responses to your questions, regular updates about your case, and clear explanations of your options and the likely outcomes.
Every divorce requires a thoughtful strategy. We analyze your specific circumstances, identify your priorities, and develop a legal strategy designed to achieve your goals efficiently and cost-effectively.
Most divorces settle without trial, and we're skilled negotiators who can often achieve favorable settlements through negotiation or mediation. This approach saves you time, money, and emotional stress compared to litigation.
When settlement isn't possible or isn't in your best interest, our Kansas City divorce attorneys are experienced trial lawyers ready to fight for you in court. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, giving you leverage in settlement negotiations and confidence if trial becomes necessary.
Divorce is emotionally difficult. While we provide aggressive legal representation, we also understand the human side of divorce. We treat you with compassion, respect, and empathy during this challenging time.
If you're considering divorce or have been served with divorce papers, the experienced Kansas City divorce attorneys at Ellis Family Law are here to help. We offer confidential consultations where we'll discuss your situation, explain your options under Kansas or Missouri law, answer your questions, and help you understand the path forward.
Don't face divorce alone. Contact Ellis Family Law today to schedule your consultation with a leading Kansas City divorce lawyer.
*The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The use of this website or communication through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.