KANSAS DIVORCE GUIDE

How to File for Divorce in Kansas
Without a Lawyer

Filing for divorce in Kansas without an attorney costs $195-$210 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 60 days in Kansas. Kansas is a equitable distribution state with a 60 days waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 2-3 months. Victoria AI guides you through every step with Kansas-specific instructions.

$195-$210
Filing Fee
60 days
Waiting Period
60 days in Kansas
Residency
2-3 months
Timeline

Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team

Kansas Divorce Requirements at a Glance

Filing Fee$195-$210 (Johnson County: $195. Sedgwick County: $200. Shawnee County: $198. Fees vary slightly by county.)
Residency Requirement60 days in Kansas
Waiting Period60 days
Property DivisionEquitable Distribution (fair, not equal)
Grounds for DivorceIncompatibility (no-fault), Failure to perform marital duty, Incompatibility due to mental illness
No-Fault Only?No (fault grounds available)
Uncontested Timeline2-3 months
Contested Timeline6 months to 2+ years
Fee Waiver Available?Yes
~12,000
Divorces per year in Kansas
~55%
Pro se filers
3-4 months (uncontested)
Average duration
$200
Median filing fee

Kansas Residency Requirements

To file for divorce in Kansas, you must meet the following residency requirement: 60 days in Kansas.

At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Kansas for at least 60 days before filing for divorce.

Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Kansas's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.

How to File for Divorce in Kansas: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to file for divorce in Kansas without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.

STEP 1

Meet Residency Requirements

At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Kansas for at least 60 days before filing for divorce.

STEP 2

Gather Required Forms

Download the official Kansas divorce forms: Petition for Divorce, Summons, Domestic Relations Affidavit. All forms are available from the Kansas courts website.

STEP 3

Complete Your Petition

Fill out the divorce petition (District Court form) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).

STEP 4

File with the Court

File your completed petition with the Kansas court and pay the filing fee of $195-$210. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.

STEP 5

Serve Your Spouse

Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Kansas rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.

STEP 6

Complete Financial Disclosure

Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Kansas law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.

STEP 7

Wait for Response & Complete Waiting Period

Kansas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing. The divorce cannot be finalized until this period expires.

STEP 8

Finalize Your Divorce

Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Kansas, this typically takes 2-3 months. The court will issue your final divorce decree.

Required Forms for Kansas Divorce

These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Kansas. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.

Petition for Divorce

District Court form

Initiates divorce

Summons

Standard form

Notifies spouse

Domestic Relations Affidavit

Required

Financial disclosure

Decree of Divorce

Court form

Final judgment

Kansas Divorce Costs & Filing Fees

The filing fee to start a divorce in Kansas is $195-$210. Johnson County: $195. Sedgwick County: $200. Shawnee County: $198. Fees vary slightly by county.

Cost TypeAmount
Court Filing Fee$195-$210
Service of Process$50-$100 (varies by method)
Certified Copies$5-$25 per copy
Total DIY Uncontested$300-$1,000 (uncontested DIY)

Fee Waiver Available in Kansas

If you cannot afford the filing fee, Kansas offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.

Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.

Serving Your Spouse in Kansas

After filing your divorce petition in Kansas, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.

Acceptable Methods of Service in Kansas

Personal Service

A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.

Certified Mail

Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.

Acceptance of Service

Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.

Service by Publication

If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.

Important: Proof of Service

You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Kansas courts are strict about service requirements.

Property Division in Kansas

Equitable Distribution State

Kansas is a equitable distribution state.

Kansas divides marital property equitably. The court considers age, length of marriage, property and earnings, time and manner of acquisition, and present and future earning capacity of each party.

Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Kansas law applies to your specific property.

Child Support in Kansas

Kansas uses the Income shares model per Kansas Supreme Court Administrative Order.

Kansas uses income shares guidelines. Combined gross incomes of both parents determine the child support obligation, allocated based on each parent's percentage of total income.

Spousal Support Factors in Kansas

  • Duration of marriage
  • Property division
  • Age of parties
  • Earning capacity
  • Time needed for education/training
  • Standard of living

Kansas Divorce Timeline: What to Expect

Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Kansas divorce.

Uncontested Divorce

2-3 months

When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.

Contested Divorce

6 months to 2+ years

When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.

Typical Kansas Divorce Timeline (Uncontested)

1

File Petition

Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $195-$210 filing fee

2

Serve Your Spouse

Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers

3

Response Period

20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response

4

Waiting Period

60 days - Kansas has a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date of filing. The divorce cannot be finalized until this period expires.

5

Final Judgment

Court issues your final divorce decree

Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.

What Makes Kansas Divorce Unique

Short 60-day residency requirement

60-day waiting period

Maintenance limited to 121 months

Simplified procedures for agreed divorces

Domestic Relations Affidavit required

Key Kansas Divorce Laws

  • K.S.A. 23-2701Grounds for Divorce
  • K.S.A. 23-2802Division of Property
  • Kansas Child Support GuidelinesChild Support

Kansas Divorce FAQ

Common questions about filing for divorce in Kansas without an attorney.

Victoria AI Knows Kansas Divorce Law

Get 24/7 guidance specific to Kansas's forms, procedures, and requirements.

Kansas-specific forms

Guidance through every required form

Financial disclosure wizard

Complete your financial affidavit step-by-step

Child support calculator

Using Kansas's exact guidelines

AI document drafting

Create properly formatted legal documents

Evidence notebook

Organize and categorize case documents

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Not Legal Advice

Victoria provides legal information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your case, consult an attorney.

Official Sources

All Kansas divorce information verified from official state court sources.

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