Kansas
Divorce, lawyers, and free legal help in Kansas — verified against official sources.
How divorce filing works in Kansas
The Kansas judicial branch runs self-help pages for divorce, with forms and filing steps. Start there before anything else.
Kansas Courts — Divorce Self-Help
The Kansas judicial branch's own divorce self-help page, with forms and instructions.
kscourts.gov — divorce self-help →Find a divorce lawyer
Kansas Bar — Lawyer Referral Service
Free referral service from the Kansas Bar Association: 1-800-928-3111.
ksbar.org — lawyer referral →New to hiring a lawyer? Read Start Here first — it covers what to ask and what to bring.
Free or low-cost legal help
Kansas Legal Services
Statewide free and low-cost legal help: 316-267-3975, Mon–Fri 8–4:30; online intake Mon–Thu.
kansaslegalservices.org →Report Child Abuse or Neglect
Call 1-800-922-5330 — the Kansas Protection Report Center (DCF), staffed 24/7.
dcf.ks.gov — report abuse →Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation fund is still accepting applications — but it is nearly depleted (about 25% of funds remain), so apply soon if you qualify.
kshousingcorp.org →Call 211
Free, confidential referrals to local help. Dial 211 from any phone.
211.org →Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
A network of 24 agencies plus 5 tribal programs statewide. The coalition does not provide 24-hour crisis services itself — for urgent help call SafeLine Kansas at 1-888-363-2287 or text SAFE to 847411.
kcsdv.org →Unpaid wages in Kansas
Your boss owes you pay and won't hand it over? Here's where to file and how long you have in Kansas.
Where to go
Kansas Department of Labor
Time limit to file
3 years
What the floor is
federal $7.25 applies
Changing your name in Kansas
Whether it's marriage, divorce, or just time for a fresh start — here's the process in Kansas.
How it works
petition the district court in your county
Typical court fee
varies by county — check your local court
Newspaper notice required?
sometimes — judge's discretion
Small claims court in Kansas
Suing someone without a lawyer, for smaller amounts, in a simpler court. Here's how it works in Kansas.
Maximum claim
$10,000
Filing fee
$35 (claims up to $500) or $55 (claims over $500)
Can you bring one?
generally no — only if the other side is represented
Clearing your criminal record in Kansas
Expungement or sealing can hide eligible arrests and convictions from background checks. Here's where Kansas stands.
Can records be cleared?
yes — expungement
What qualifies
most misdemeanors, minor felonies, dismissed charges, diversions (not violent or sex offenses)
Waiting period
3 years for misdemeanors/minor felonies; 5 years for serious felonies and DUI
Child support in Kansas
How child support gets calculated — and when it ends — in Kansas.
How it's figured
income shares (proportionate shares of combined income) Child Support Guidelines and worksheet published by the Kansas Supreme Court
When it ends
age 18, or June 30 of the school year of the 18th birthday if still in high school
Lemon law in Kansas
Bought a new car that's constantly in the shop? Kansas's lemon law may get you a refund or a replacement.
Which vehicles qualify
new motor vehicles only (sold or leased; 12,000 lbs GVW or less; original purchaser or lessee)
When it's legally a lemon
4+ attempts for same defect, 30+ calendar days out of service, or 10+ total attempts — within warranty term or first year
What you get
comparable replacement vehicle or refund of full purchase/lease price
Tenant rights in Kansas
Renting comes with rights most people never hear about until something goes wrong. Here are the key ones in Kansas.
Notice before eviction
30 days to end month-to-month; 3-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment
Deposit limits & return
Max 1 month's rent (1.5 months furnished, +0.5 month pet deposit); returned within 30 days with itemized written notice
When the landlord won't fix things
No repair-and-deduct statute (may terminate lease after written notice and 14 days to fix)
DUI / DWI in Kansas
Driving under the influence carries some of the stiffest penalties in everyday law. Here's how Kansas handles it.
Blood alcohol (BAC) limit
0.08; enhanced penalties at 0.15 (1-year suspension + 1-year IID restriction)
Typical penalties
48 hours-6 months jail, $750-$1,000 fine, 30-day suspension + 180-day restricted driving
How far back DUIs count
Lifetime
Gun laws in Kansas
Gun laws vary a lot from state to state — what's perfectly legal in one state can be a crime in another. Here's the big picture for this state. Laws change often, so double-check anything before you act.
Carrying a concealed handgun
Permitless carry (since 2015), 21+; optional shall-issue license (provisional for 18-20)
Carrying openly
Generally allowed without permit
Background checks & waiting periods
Private sales: Not required No waiting period.
Extreme risk protection
No red flag law on the books here.
Reciprocity
Honors permits from all other states
Filming the police: your rights in Kansas
Federal appeals courts across the country have recognized a First Amendment right to photograph and record police officers performing their official duties in public. The U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on it directly. The right does not protect interfering with officers, trespassing, or breaking other laws while you record.
One-party consent
If you are part of a conversation, you may record it — including with police. (K.S.A. § 21-6101)
Buffer-zone law — law on the books
25-foot 'Halo Act' buffer law (HB 2372) — enacted April 2026 via veto override; enforcement/challenge status unverified
Kansas is one-party consent; the state supreme court confirmed it in State v. Roudybush (686 P.2d 100, 1984). The Tenth Circuit (Irizarry v. Yehia, 2022) held there is a clearly established First Amendment right to record police in public. The 25-foot buffer law for first responders is very new and press groups called it likely unconstitutional; no court ruling on it was found.
Drug & alcohol addiction help in Kansas
Addiction is a health issue, and help is out there — including court programs that can send people to treatment instead of jail. No insurance needed to call.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential referrals to treatment — call 1-800-662-4357 (English & Spanish).
Human trafficking victims in Kansas
If you or someone you know is being forced to work or forced into sex against their will, you are a victim of a crime and help is available — immigration status does not matter.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 — free, confidential, for victims and anyone who suspects trafficking.
Bullying in Kansas
Every state has an anti-bullying law, and every school must have a plan. If your child is being bullied, document what happens and report it in writing to the school — and know what your state’s law requires.
Homelessness help in Kansas
If you are homeless or at risk of losing your housing, help is close by. Shelters, food, health care, and long-term housing programs exist in every community.
211 homeless services
Dial 211 and press 6 for homeless services in your area.
VA homeless veterans
Homeless veterans: call the VA National Call Center at 1-877-424-3838 (877-4AID-VET), 24/7.
Deed fraud & squatters in Kansas
Thieves can forge a deed to steal your home’s title — many counties offer free recording alerts that notify you if anything is filed against your property. And if someone is living in your property without permission, your state has specific rules for removing them: you generally cannot just change the locks.
FBI: protect your property from deed fraud
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center alert on parcel-owner impersonation →