Do I need a lawyer?
It is highly recommended that you get a lawyer if you can, especially if the other parent has one. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may want to contact Kansas Legal Services at 1-800-723-6953. They may be able to offer you legal advice and /or representation by an attorney at little or no cost. To get an attorney through Kansas Legal Services, you generally must show that you income is below a certain level. Another place to find free or low-cost legal help is on our KS Finding a Lawyer page.
Courts generally are unable to help with the process of filing for custody. A lawyer will most likely need to help you through the process. Even if you plan on representing yourself, you should consider having a lawyer review your papers before you file them.
If you are going to be in court without a lawyer, our Preparing for Court – By Yourself section may be useful to you.