Rule Text
Any district court shall have jurisdiction over all proceedings under the protection from abuse act. The right of a person to obtain relief under the protection from abuse act shall not be affected by the person's leaving the residence or household to avoid further abuse. Any petition under this act seeking orders regarding a custody determination, as defined in K.S.A. 23-37,102 , and amendments thereto, shall state that information required by K.S.A. 23-37,209 , and amendments thereto, and the basis under which child-custody jurisdiction is sought to be invoked.
Amendment history: L. 1979, ch. 92, § 3; L. 1980, ch. 177, § 2; L. 1983, ch. 201, § 2; L. 1996, ch. 208, § 5; L. 2000, ch. 171, § 81; L. 2012, ch. 162, § 82; May 31.
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
If you need protection from an abusive partner or family member, you can file your case in any district court in Kansas. You don't have to worry about which specific court has authority over your situation. This makes it easier to get help quickly, no matter where you are in the state.
Leaving your home to escape abuse does not hurt your case. Some people worry that if they move out to stay safe, they will lose their right to ask the court for protection. This rule makes clear that's not true. You can still ask for a protection order even if you already left.
If your case also involves child custody, you need to include extra information in your petition. You must state the details required under Kansas law about custody cases, and explain why this particular court has the authority to make custody decisions for your child. This helps make sure the right court handles custody issues alongside the protection order.
