Divorce Lawyer in Olathe, KS

Divorce Lawyer in Olathe, Kansas

If you live in Olathe and are thinking about divorce, your case will be heard close to home. Olathe is the Johnson County seat, so every Johnson County divorce is filed and decided at the Johnson County District Court in downtown Olathe. Sarah Carmody is a Kansas family law attorney and a Kansas Supreme Court approved mediator whose office is in nearby Overland Park, and she represents Olathe clients in every kind of divorce, from simple uncontested cases to disputes over property and children.

Where an Olathe divorce is filed

An Olathe divorce is a Johnson County case. The petition is filed with the Johnson County District Court, and any hearings take place at the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe. Before you can file, at least one spouse must have lived in Kansas for 60 days (K.S.A. 23-2703). Kansas is a no-fault state, so the usual ground is simply incompatibility, and only one spouse has to say the marriage is broken (K.S.A. 23-2701).

How long a divorce takes in Johnson County

A Kansas court cannot finalize a divorce until at least 60 days after the petition is filed, even when both spouses agree on everything. An uncontested divorce usually finishes in about 60 to 90 days. A contested divorce with real disagreements over property, support, or custody can take 6 to 18 months. How much the two of you can agree on is the biggest factor in both time and cost.

Three ways to get divorced, and what each costs

• Flat-fee uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse already agree on the major issues, the firm handles the whole divorce for one flat fee: $1,500 without children and $2,500 with children, with the court filing fee included. See the flat-fee uncontested divorce page for how it works.
• Divorce mediation. If you agree on some things but not everything, mediation lets the two of you work it out with a neutral mediator instead of fighting it out in court. Sarah’s mediation is a flat $5,000. Read more on the divorce mediation page.
• Representation in a contested divorce. When agreement is not possible, Sarah represents you through negotiation and, if it comes to it, trial, protecting what matters most to you while keeping the case from costing more than it needs to. See the divorce page for how Kansas divides property and handles maintenance.

Divorce with children in Olathe

When children are involved, every decision is measured against the best interests of the child. Kansas separates legal custody, meaning who makes major decisions, from residency and parenting time, meaning where the child lives and the schedule. Child support is set under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. The child custody and child support page explains how this works, and if a parent later needs to move or change the schedule, see relocation and modifications.

Frequently asked questions about divorce in Olathe

Where do I file for divorce if I live in Olathe?

With the Johnson County District Court, which sits in Olathe. Every Johnson County divorce is filed and heard there.

How much does a divorce cost in Olathe?

It depends on how much you agree on. The firm’s flat-fee uncontested divorce is $1,500 without children and $2,500 with children, filing fee included. Mediation is a flat $5,000. A contested divorce that goes to trial can cost $10,000 or more.

How fast can I get divorced in Johnson County?

No sooner than 60 days after filing, which is the Kansas waiting period. Uncontested cases often finish in 60 to 90 days.

Do I have to go to court for a divorce in Olathe?

Usually not for a trial. Most divorces are settled by agreement, often through mediation, and an uncontested divorce rarely needs more than a brief hearing.

Talk to an Olathe divorce lawyer

Sarah Carmody Law is in Overland Park, a short drive from Olathe, and works with clients across Johnson County. Call 913-257-3110 or contact the firm to talk about your situation.