Frequently Asked Questions - District Courts

Where can I get a copy of my father's last will? I am sure it was intially filed in Johnson County Kansas.

While there is no requirement that a will be filed with the Johnson County District Court, some are on record there for safekeeping. Contact the Records Division of the Johnson County District Court (913-715-3480) to see if a will is on file for your parent. Other possibilities maybe a personal attorney or bank.

How can i file for divorce on my own? Where do i get the paperwork? I now live in kansas and he lives in missouri. We were married in missouri

Since Johnson County employees are prohibited from offering legal advice, my suggestion is that you hire an attorney, and/or contact the district court in the city where you were married to discover the steps you need to take to file for divorce. You may also contact the Office of Vital Statistics for the state of Kansas or Missouri to pose the questions for which you need answers.

What is the web address for the Johnson County County Court?

You may access the Johnson County District Court website at http://courts.jocogov.org/, or jocogov.org. The jocogov.org web address should take you to the county's home page. At the top of the page (above "Government of Johnson County Kansas" you should see a link for "Departments". Click on that link.

In the middle of the page you will see "County Departments & Agencies". Scroll down until you see District Courts; to the right of the department title is a link titled "visit website . . .". Click on the link and you will be directed to the Johnson County District Court website.

If all else fails, contact the county's citizens services group at 715-0430 and we'll be happy to walk you through the process.

How do I get a copy of a will?

Court staff can provide information that can be helpful in the handling of your case. However, court staff cannot provide legal advice, which limits the type of information that can be given. The following are guidelines established by Supreme Court Administrative Order 232 for court staff to follow. Your understanding of what information can be provided will assist you in effectively talking with court staff.

Contact the District Court Records Division (913) 715-3480. Give them the information you have and they can then advise if that is what they need to provide the document you seek.

The absent father of my daughter is willing to sign over his rights, where do I find the form for him to fill out?

Contact the Clerk of the District Court at (913)715-3350 for assistance.

Where do I go to obtain a marriage license?

Contact the Civil Division of the Johnson County District Court at (913) 715-3400 to obtain the information you need.

Where do i get a claim of exemption for a garnishment and how do i file it?

You may contact either the Civil Division of the District Court for information concerning your question. While government employees are not permitted to offer legal advice, they may be able to give you an idea of where you can secure the documents you need and how to obtain legal assistance to complete your task. The Clerk's Office of the Civil Division may be reached by dialing (93) 715-3400.

What forms do I need to initially file to file for divorce?

The Kansas Judicial Council website (www.kansasjudicialcouncil.org/Divorce Forms.shtml) offers some insight regarding divorce forms for self-represented parties. Another source would be the Office of the District Court Clerk/Civil Division. The phone number for the civil division is 913/715-3400. Although the employees are unable to offer legal assistance, they can advise you of the requirements of the District Court to initiate a divorce and they will be able to direct you to the website where you will find the necessary forms.

We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney for assistance in initiating the step toward your divorce.

What is the number of divorces in Johnson County from 2005 to present?

Case filing statistics for the Johnson County District Courts reveal the following yearly totals for civil divorce cases from 2005 to 2010:

• 2005 - 2,515 • 2007 - 2,397 • 2009 - 2,515

• 2006 - 2,397 • 2008 - 2,434 • 2010 - 2,519

Additional case filing stats can be found at http://courts.jocogov.org/ca_stats.htm

Who do i contact if my exhusband is not abiding by divorce decree?

If the complaint involves child support payments, contact the Johnson County District Court Trustee at 715-3600.

For any other divorce decree related complaint, you will need to have an attorney represent you or you will have to represent yourself and contact the Court to go before the judge to plead your case. For questions concerning the particulars when representing yourself, contact the Clerk of the District Court at 715-3350.

I was divorced about 3 years ago. How would i get a copy of my QDRO?

Request the document in writing or come into the Records Management department at the Johnson County courthouse at 100 N. Kansas, Olathe, KS 66061 - Records Management: 913-715-3480
Cost: 50¢ per page for each copy; $1 per document for certified copies
Provide case number. Payment must be made before document is released.
Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact the office of records management.