DISTRICT COURT RESPONSE TO COVID-19
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Parents Forever, Mediation and Domestic Relations Investigations
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1. Parents Forever Unless waived by the court all parents in domestic relations
actions (except for Protection from Abuse and Protection from Stalking actions)
in which there are minor children shall be required to attend "Parents Forever"
within thirty (30) days of service of process or the entry of an appearance by the
respondent. No case shall proceed to final hearing until the parties have complied
with this rule provided, however, that nothing in this rule shall preclude the finalization
of orders requested by the Department of Children and Families. In actions to establish
the parentage of a child the parents shall attend within thirty (30) days of the
entry of the order establishing parentage. The court will issue an order requiring
attendance and directing payment of the fee in a form approved by the Chief Judge.
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2. Mediation or Conciliation Required. Unless waived by the court or on a
motion to modify an ex parte temporary order (which is required by K.S.A. 23-2707(b)
or 23-3219(b) to be heard within 14 days), any disputes concerning the legal custody
of a child, parenting time, or visitation arising from a motion to modify a pre-existing
parenting plan must be submitted to a court-appointed mediator or conciliation through
Domestic Court Services or another court approved conciliator before an evidentiary
hearing is held. Upon approval of the court, the parties may agree upon and engage
a private mediator under Supreme Court Rule 902.
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3. Information to Be Provided to Domestic Court Services If Domestic Court
Services is appointed to provide services pursuant to this rule, counsel, or the
parties if self-represented (pro se), shall provide the full names, addresses, telephone
numbers (home and work) and email addresses for all the parties to whom services
are provided.
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4. Continuing Mediation and Conciliation Orders A provision for mediation
or conciliation through Domestic Court Services shall be continuing and additional
orders shall not be necessary unless specifically requested by a party or required
by Domestic Court Services.
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5. Ex Parte Motion for Mediation In post-decree matters either party may
make an ex parte request for the issuance of an order for mediation to resolve any
disputes concerning the provisions of an existing permanent or temporary parenting
plan. An ex parte motion may be denied if the requesting party has not previously
complied with orders to attend Parents Forever or its predecessor General Responsibilities
as Separating Parents (GRASP).
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6. Mediation, Higher Ground, Conciliation, Expedited Child Interviews
and Family Assessments All court orders for Mediation, Higher
Ground, Conciliation, Expedited Child Interviews and Family Assessments shall be
issued in a form approved by the Chief Judge.
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COURT APPROVED FORMS
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