Reviewed August 2026
Mediation in Kansas
Kansas gives courts discretion to order mediation in a divorce case, rather than making it a fixed requirement for every filing. Under K.S.A. 23-3502, the court or hearing officer may order mediation of any contested issue. That includes child custody, residency, visitation, parenting time, division of property, or other issues, at any time. It can happen on a party's motion or the court's own motion. This means mediation in a Kansas divorce depends on whether a judge or hearing officer decides to order it in a specific case. It is not an automatic statewide rule triggered by filing. When mediation is ordered, the statute gives the court a detailed list of factors to weigh in appointing the mediator. This goes well beyond just picking any available name. Kansas courts describe alternative dispute resolution generally as a process parties can voluntarily agree to, or be referred or ordered into by the court. The goal is a mutually acceptable solution.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how mediation works under Kansas law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Kansas paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
Get notified when Virdix reaches Kansas
We'll send one email, nothing else, the day Kansas launches.
When a Kansas court can order mediation
K.S.A. 23-3502(a) lets the court or hearing officer order mediation of any contested issue. That includes child custody, residency, visitation, parenting time, division of property, or other issues, at any point in the case. It can happen on a party's motion or the court's own motion. This covers many divorce-related disputes, not just custody. But it remains something the court decides to order, rather than an automatic step in every case.
How the mediator gets appointed
When a court or hearing officer orders mediation under K.S.A. 23-3502, it must appoint the mediator while weighing several specific factors. These include any agreement by the parties on a particular mediator, and the mediator's relationships or interests that could create bias or a conflict of interest. The court also weighs the mediator's knowledge of the Kansas judicial system, domestic relations procedure, and community resources. It considers knowledge of child development, clinical issues affecting children, and the effects of divorce on children. Finally, it weighs the mediator's own training and experience. This gives the appointment process real substance, rather than treating any registered mediator as interchangeable.
Kansas's approach to alternative dispute resolution
The Kansas Judicial Branch describes Alternative Dispute Resolution broadly. It is a process where parties either voluntarily agree to it, or are referred or ordered by a court to enter discussion and negotiation with a neutral third party. The aim is a mutually acceptable solution that minimizes harm and preserves relationships where possible. Kansas's self-help resources point people toward approved ADR providers and programs. They encourage anyone with questions to contact their local district court directly.
Self-help resources and mediator ethics rules
The Kansas Judicial Branch's self-help website provides general information on Alternative Dispute Resolution, including approved providers and programs, and directs people with specific questions to their local district court. The Kansas Judicial Council's divorce resources page links to the Kansas Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service and to the Judicial Branch's broader self-help materials for people representing themselves. On mediator conduct, Kansas previously had Supreme Court Rule 903, Ethical Standards for Mediators, which was repealed effective January 1, 2020. Mediator conduct and court-ordered mediation in Kansas are now governed by K.S.A. 23-3502 and current Kansas Supreme Court rules, not the older, repealed rule. Confirm current mediator ethics and confidentiality standards with the court or a mediator directly, rather than relying on the repealed rule.
How a mediated agreement becomes a court order
Mediation under K.S.A. 23-3502 does not resolve a Kansas divorce case on its own. When the parties reach an agreement through mediation, it is written up and submitted to the court for review. It becomes an enforceable order once the judge approves it. The judge then incorporates it into the divorce decree or a separate custody, parenting time, or property order. If mediation does not produce an agreement, the disputed issue proceeds to the court for a decision.
Not independently confirmed
- Whether Kansas has a specific statutory domestic violence exemption from mediation referral under K.S.A. 23-3502, versus handling it through the court's general discretion in deciding whether to order mediation
- Current confidentiality rules for court-ordered mediation following the repeal of former Supreme Court Rule 903
- Court-connected mediation fees and any sliding-scale or reduced-fee programs by judicial district
Mediation in Kansas: frequently asked questions
Is mediation required for divorce in Kansas?+
Not automatically. K.S.A. 23-3502 lets the court or hearing officer order mediation of custody, residency, visitation, parenting time, property division, or other contested issues, but only when it decides to order it on a party's motion or its own motion. There is no blanket statewide rule requiring mediation in every filing.
What issues can Kansas mediation cover?+
K.S.A. 23-3502 lets a court order mediation of any contested issue of child custody, residency, visitation, parenting time, division of property, or other issues in the case, not just custody disputes.
How does a Kansas court pick the mediator?+
The court or hearing officer must consider several factors when appointing a mediator, including any agreement between the parties on a specific mediator, potential conflicts of interest, the mediator's knowledge of Kansas domestic relations procedure and child development and family psychology issues, and the mediator's training and experience under K.S.A. 23-3502(b).
Is Kansas Supreme Court Rule 903 still in effect?+
No. Rule 903, which set ethical standards for mediators, was repealed effective January 1, 2020. Current mediator conduct in court-ordered mediation is governed by K.S.A. 23-3502 and whatever current Kansas Supreme Court rules apply, so confirm the current standards with the court rather than relying on Rule 903.
Where can I find self-help resources for Kansas mediation?+
The Kansas Judicial Branch's self-help website has an Alternative Dispute Resolution section listing approved providers and programs, and it directs people to their local district court for case-specific questions. The Kansas Judicial Council's divorce page also links to legal aid and lawyer referral resources.
Does my mediated agreement automatically become my Kansas divorce order?+
No. The agreement must be written up and submitted to the court for review. It becomes enforceable only once the judge approves it and incorporates it into the divorce decree or a separate custody, parenting time, or property order.
This page is general information about mediation in Kansas, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Kansas's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Kansas. Virdix does not prepare or file Kansas divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Kansas.
More Kansas divorce guides
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Kansas, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
If the court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted. See how the guarantee works