Divided custody - This means that one child lives with one parent and another child with the other. In most cases, parents can make their own agreements for custody and visitation, without a court order. Full Custody - There is no such thing as “full custody” in Kansas. Legally, there is no presumption of paternity; this means that unwed fathers are not, by default, assumed to be biologically related to their children. Grandparents' Rights to Visitation. An out-of-state custody agreement may designate one parent as the child's sole custodian and grant visitation rights to the out-of-state parent. Each party has visitation with the child in the custody of the other. In addition to seeking custody of children in some situations, grandparents may also wish to enforce their right to visitation with their grandchildren, if that right is being interfered with by the child's parent(s), i.e. This type of situation can prevent the father from being awarded visitation rights or child custody. Ways to get a custody and visitation court order. Sole custody: One person has the responsibility and authority to make major decisions about a child’s care and how they will be raised. Usually, but not always, the child lives primarily with the person with sole custody. If you are wanting to file for child custody without an attorney, follow the directions below to successfully complete that task. The Judge must make the finding that there are facts to support the awarding of sole legal custody. However, this law is from 1996 and predates an important grandparent visitation rights U.S. Supreme Court case, Troxel v. If you do not already have an order from another court, you may file a petition requesting custody or visitation in the Court Service Unit, located on the second floor of the juvenile court building. Filing for child custody can be done without an attorney so long as you have helpful instructions and solid resources. The father has no legal right to see their child without a court order. Custody, visitation, and support determinations are made in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Joint custody: Two people, usually the parents, share the responsibility for making decisions for a child. The court may also pursue alternative methods as part of a new custody arrangement, such as incorporating “virtual visitation," or electronic communication, between the out-of-state parent and child. However, if the situation requires, sole custody is available. Grandparent Visitation Rights: Yes, Kentucky law permits grandparents to have reasonable visitation rights, even if the parent (their child) is deceased. If you make an agreement between the 2 of you, the agreement becomes binding and enforceable. Which parent has been granted legal custody (this is generally the same parent that has primary physical custody rights); Whether custody is to be split the parents, or one parent will have more physical custody time; and; Visitation schedules for the noncustodial parent.