38-2234. Pleadings. (a) Filing and contents of petition. (1) A petition filed to commence an action pursuant to this code shall be filed with the clerk of the district court and shall state, if known:

(A) The name, date of birth and residence address of the child;

(B) the name and residence address of the child's parents;

(C) the name and address of the child's nearest known relative if no parent can be found;

(D) the name and residence address of any persons having custody or control of the child; and

(E) plainly and concisely in the language of the statutory definition, the basis for the petition.

(2) The petition shall also state the specific facts that are relied upon to support the allegation referred to in the preceding paragraph including any known dates, times and locations.

(3) The proceedings shall be entitled: "In the Interest of ______________."

(4) The petition shall contain a request that the court find the child to be a child in need of care.

(5) The petition shall contain a request that the parent or parents be ordered to pay child support. The request for child support may be omitted with respect to a parent already ordered to pay child support for the child and shall be omitted with respect to one or both parents upon written request of the secretary.

(6) If the petition requests custody of the child to the secretary or a person other than the child's parent, the petition shall specify the efforts known to the petitioner to have been made to maintain the family and prevent the transfer of custody, or it shall specify the facts demonstrating that an emergency exists which threatens the safety to the child.

(7) If the petition requests removal of the child from the child's home, in addition to the information required by K.S.A. 38-2234(a)(6), and amendments thereto, the petition shall specify the facts demonstrating that allowing the child to remain in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child or that placement is in the best interests of the child and the child is likely to sustain harm if not removed from the home.

(8) The petition shall have an attached copy of the prevention plan, if any, that has been prepared for the child.

(9) The petition shall contain the following statement: "If you do not appear in court the court will be making decisions without your input which could result in:

(A) The permanent or temporary removal of the child from the custody of the parent or present legal guardian;

(B) an order requiring one or both parents to pay child support until the permanent termination of one or both of the parents' parental rights;

(C) the permanent termination of one or both of the parents' parental rights;

(D) the appointment of a SOUL family legal permanency custodian for the child; and

(E) the appointment of a permanent custodian for the child.

If you cannot attend the hearing you may send a written response to the petition to the clerk of the court."

(10) The petition shall contain the following statement: "You may receive further notices of other hearings, proceedings and actions in this case which you may attend. These notices will be sent to you by first class mail to your last known address or an address you provide to the court. It is your responsibility to keep the court informed of your current address."

(b) Motions. Motions may be made orally or in writing. The motion shall state with particularity the grounds for the motion and shall state the relief or order sought.

History: L. 2006, ch. 200, § 29; L. 2019, ch. 43, § 4; L. 2024, ch. 47, § 4; July 1.