60-1617. Counseling. - Kansas Statutes

60-1617

Chapter 60.--PROCEDURE, CIVIL Article 16.--DIVORCE AND MAINTENANCE

      60-1617.   Counseling.(a) Family counseling. At any time prior or subsequent tothealterationof the parties' marital status the court may order that anyparty or parties and any of their childrenbe interviewed by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologistor other trained professional in family counseling, approved by the court,for the purpose of determining whether it is in the best interestsof any of the parties' children that the parties and any of their childrenhave counseling regarding matters of legalcustody, residency, visitationor parenting time. The courtshall receive the written opinion of the professional, and the court shallmake the opinion availableas provided by K.S.A.60-1615, and amendments thereto. Any professional consulted by the courtunder this section may be examined as awitness.If the opinion of the professional is that counseling is in the best interestsof any of the children, the court may order the parties and any of the childrento obtain counseling. Neither party shall be required to obtain counselingpursuant to this section if the party objects thereto because the counselingconflicts with sincerely held religious tenets and practices to which anyparty is an adherent.

      (b)   Costs. The costs of the counseling shall be taxed to eitherpartyas equity and justice require.

      History:   L. 1982, ch. 152, § 16;L. 1986, ch. 299, § 10;L. 2000, ch. 171, § 20; July 1.