Factors considered in determination of legal custody, residency and parenting time of a child

23-3203. Factors considered in determination of legal custody, residency and parenting time of a child. (a) In determining the issue of legal custody, residency and parenting time of a child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (1) Each parent's role and involvement with the minor child before and after separation; (2) the desires of the child's parents as to custody or residency; (3) the desires of a child of sufficient age and maturity as to the child's custody or residency; (4) the age of the child; (5) the emotional and physical needs of the child; (6) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with parents, siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests; (7) the child's adjustment to the child's home, school and community; (8) the willingness and ability of each parent to respect and appreciate the bond between the child and the other parent and to allow for a continuing relationship between the child and the other parent; (9) evidence of domestic abuse, including, but not limited to: (A) A pattern or history of physically or emotionally abusive behavior or threat thereof used by one person to gain or maintain domination and control over an intimate partner or household member; or (B) an act of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault; (10) the ability of the parties to communicate, cooperate and manage parental duties; (11) the school activity schedule of the child; (12) the work schedule of the parties; (13) the location of the parties' residences and places of employment; (14) the location of the child's school; (15) whether a parent is subject to the registration requirements of the Kansas offender registration act, K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq., and amendments thereto, or any similar act in any other state, or under military or federal law; (16) whether a parent has been convicted of abuse of a child, K.S.A. 21-3609, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5602, and amendments thereto; (17) whether a parent is residing with an individual who is subject to registration requirements of the Kansas offender registration act, K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq., and amendments thereto, or any similar act in any other state, or under military or federal law; and (18) whether a parent is residing with an individual who has been convicted of abuse of a child, K.S.A. 21-3609, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5602, and amendments thereto. (b) To aid in determining the issue of legal custody, residency and parenting time of a child, the court may order a parent to undergo a domestic violence offender assessment conducted by a certified batterer intervention program and may order such parent to follow all recommendations made by such program. History: L. 2011, ch. 26, § 20; L. 2014, ch. 116, § 9; L. 2016, ch. 102, § 7; L. 2017, ch. 58, § 2; July 1. Source or Prior Law: 60-1610(a)(3)(B). Law Review and Bar Journal References: Makaela Stevens, When the Child Adopts the Parents: Considering Attachment and Psychological-Parent Doctrine in Kansas Adoptions, 72 U. Kan. L. Rev. 247 (2023). Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026