Standard Parenting Time Schedules and Court Guidelines in Kansas
Kansas sets no standard parenting time schedule in the statutes we read. For child support, 35% or more of the child’s time lets the court adjust support by 10%, 20% or 30%, and school time is excluded.
Does Kansas have a standard parenting time schedule?
Not in the statutes we read. The parties submit an agreed parenting plan or, in a dispute, proposed plans for the court to consider (K.S.A. 23-3207), and the court orders an arrangement in the child’s best interests. The schedule itself is set in your plan or the court’s order.
What is the 35 percent line in Kansas?
If the child spends 35% or more of the child’s time with the parent not having primary residency, the court shall determine whether an adjustment in child support is appropriate; the child’s time at school or in day care is not considered, and a table may be used (Guidelines IV.H.2).
| Pattern (other parent) | Overnights a year | Share of time | Suggested adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 of 14 nights | 52 | 14.2% | None |
| 3 of 14 nights | 78 | 21.4% | None |
| 4 of 14 nights | 104 | 28.5% | None |
| 5 of 14 nights | 130 | 35.6% | 10% |
| 6 of 14 nights | 156 | 42.7% | 20% |
| 7 of 14 nights | 183 | 49.9% | 30% |
These are our counts of a repeating 14-day pattern before extra summer or holiday nights, and they ignore school time. 35% is about 128 overnights.
What is the adjustment table in Kansas?
35% to 39% of the child’s time: 10%; 40% to 44%: 20%; 45% to 49%: 30%. The adjustment percentage is averaged if there is more than one child and the percentages differ. It applies to the parent’s proportionate share, and it is for the court to allow. The Kansas child support calculator applies the formula.
What are the other adjustments in Kansas?
The guidelines also allow an actual-cost adjustment, an extended parenting time adjustment of up to 50% when a child spends 14 or more consecutive days with the parent not having primary residency, or a shared schedule in summer, and an adjustment for the historical non-exercise of parenting time; at equal parenting time, shared residency formulas apply (Guidelines IV.H and VI).
Which calculator should I use after counting overnights in Kansas?
Take the percentage to the Kansas child support calculator, which applies the worksheet lines, and keep the parenting plan handy because the court decides whether to allow the adjustment. The state also publishes its own guidelines and worksheet (Kansas Child Support Guidelines).
Does time at school count toward the percentage in Kansas?
No. In calculating the parenting time adjustment, the child’s time at school or in day care shall not be considered (Guidelines IV.H.2), so a percentage based on overnights can differ from the percentage of the child’s non-school time.
How does the parenting plan interact with the support worksheet in Kansas?
The worksheet line for a parenting time adjustment uses the percentage in your plan. Keep the plan and the Kansas parenting time calculator count consistent, and if the plan gives exactly equal time, ask whether the shared residency formulas apply, since they work differently from the 10%, 20% and 30% table.
What should a written schedule cover in Kansas?
- The regular pattern, with exchange days, times and a place.
- Holidays, school breaks and summer, and how they replace the regular pattern.
- The overnight count, so child support uses the right band.
- Transportation, communication and decision-making.
- How changes are agreed and put in writing.
What if the parents cannot agree in Kansas?
The court decides on the child’s best interests and the factors in 23-3203. See the uncontested versus contested divorce in Kansas post for how agreed and disputed cases differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a standard parenting schedule in Kansas?
No statutory schedule appears in the sections we read; the plan or order sets it.
How many overnights is 35% in Kansas?
About 128 overnights a year, before excluding school time.
Does a 5-in-14 schedule reach the Kansas 35% line?
Yes. It is about 130 overnights, 35.6%, in the 35% to 39% band, a 10% suggested adjustment.
Does a 4-in-14 schedule reach the Kansas 35% line?
No. It is about 104 overnights, 28.5%.
Who sets the schedule if Kansas parents cannot agree?
The court, on the child’s best interests.
Official sources
- K.S.A. 23-3201: custody, residency and parenting time criteria
- K.S.A. 23-3203: factors
- K.S.A. 23-3206: legal custodial arrangements
- K.S.A. 23-3207: residential arrangements
- K.S.A. 23-3222: change in child’s residence; notice
- Kansas Child Support Guidelines
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Kansas statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Kansas attorney.