Best Family Lawyer in Kansas City
John Kennyhertz
Family Lawyer
A Kansas City native, attorney John Kennyhertz founded Kennyhertz Perry in 2013 along with his cofounder, and law partner, Braden Perry. John has served as the Managing Partner since the firm began adding attorneys in early 2018. In this role, John is responsible for the overall direction of the firm and its growth. Under his leadership, the firm has grown to a total of 14 lawyers and over 800 active matters. John still maintains a dynamic law practice himself, focused on business transactions and corporate law matters. Prior to starting Kennyhertz Perry, John served as General Counsel for a Kansas City-based private equity firm where he was responsible for the oversight and management of the private equity firm’s non-real estate legal matters, as well as the risk management and compliance for each entity comprising the firm’s portfolio.
A career attorney with expertise in contract law, transaction law, financial services, and corporate litigation, John began his career at Wallace, Saunders, Austin, Brown, and Enochs, working on complex litigation, insurance defense, employment law, and workers’ compensation. He then spent several years as general counsel for a local private equity firm – a holding company with various corporate holdings and investments in multiple industries. John has extensive experience in the areas of domestic and international e-commerce; debt collection; consumer data privacy; ACH and payment systems; MSB licensing; online marketing and lead generation. John advises clients on federal statutes and regulations, including the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GBL”), Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) compliance issues. He provides a unique blend of legal, technical, and practical business advice.
Polly Bartle Blomquist
Family Lawyer
In 2001 after being admitted to the Missouri and Kansas Bar, Polly Bartle Blomquist began her career at the Family Court in Jackson County, Missouri. While there, she tried hundreds of cases, gaining valuable trial experience. After having children, the gravity of the responsibilities of parenting caused Polly to realize the importance of Estate Planning for young families. As she began discussing Estate Planning with her friends and family, it became apparent how few people possessed accurate information on the subject. Because of this, Polly decided to move into the private sector to begin providing Estate Planning for individuals and families with the goal of educating them about the value of proper advanced planning. Today Polly works to help families achieve their objectives, whether that be ease of transfer of assets or ensuring assets are preserved, protected, and managed effectively for beneficiaries for years to come.
With the combination of Estate Planning and trial experience, Polly has a unique perspective. She plans with the idea of the future and possible pitfalls.
When she is not serving clients, you will find her volunteering at her church, spending quality time with her husband, son, and daughter, and traveling to ski, hike, or pursue any outdoor adventure.
Polly educates other lawyers and professionals by teaching continuing education classes and is a member of Missouri Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Cass County Bar Association, Johnson County Bar Association, Wealth Counsel, Elder Counsel, and the Association of Women Lawyers.
Mandee Rowen Pingel
Family Lawyer
Mandee Rowen Pingel is a trial attorney and partner in the Kansas City family law firm of Pingel Family Law. Ms. Pingel is proud to serve families and clients in both, Missouri and Kansas. Her practice focuses exclusively in the areas of matrimonial and family law, including high conflict divorce, post-divorce modification, paternity, adoption, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence, juvenile abuse and neglect, guardianship and conservatorship, and grandparents’ rights. Ms. Pingel is often referred cases from other lawyers, medical providers, therapists or other professionals where there are unusual of complicated issues for the needs of the children or in addressing asset division and financial issues.
Ms. Pingel received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from William Jewell College in Liberty, where she graduated with honors. She later earned her Juris Doctor law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, again with honors, graduating in the top 20% of her class.
In the course of her law practice, Ms. Pingel has appeared before all levels of courts in Kansas and Missouri, including circuit and district courts, courts of appeal, and the Missouri and Kansas Supreme Courts.
Ms. Pingel has served as a member and author of three professional legal journals, including articles for the Journal of Matrimonial Attorneys, the official publication of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Mark A. Wortman
Family Lawyer
Welcome to the law office of Mark A. Wortman. Mark is a Kansas City divorce and family law attorney with over 20 years of experience. Because Mark focuses only on Missouri divorce and family law — and has put all of his experience in these areas — he has more knowledge and expertise in these areas than a general practice firm. He knows the law, the courts, and probably the opposing counsel. So he knows he can help you.
Mark is the author of the Missouri Divorce and Family Law Blog, which we welcome you to visit. The firm has provided all of the information on this website to be of help to you if you need assistance in a Missouri family law matter.
We pledge excellence in legal representation and exceptional client service. As a client of Mark and his firm, you can expect the following:
- Straight talk from your attorney.
- Professional divorce lawyer, ethical representation.
- Honest, competitive, fixed fee structure. You will know exactly how much the case will cost from the beginning. No open ended fee arrangements.
- Mark’s mobile phone number — and you can text, call, or email him anytime during business hours without being charged more for it.
- Direct attention from a lawyer who does not hide behind a wall of paralegals.
- Your case will be expedited as quickly as possible. We are dealing with the courts, so cases take time, but it is not in our interest as your attorney to let your case stall.
- You will be fully informed at each stage of the case, and Mark will explain all of your rights and address all of your concerns.
Kristin Jacobs Alexander
Family Lawyer
Kristin Jacobs Alexander is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City Law School and previously graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Systems. At UMKC, she was active in the Child and Family Services Clinic, where she represented clients in Family Court with adoption, paternity, dissolution, and guardianship cases. She was awarded the John Speca Family Law Award and authored “If the Genes Don’t Fit: An Overview Disestablishment Statutes” in the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys Journal, Spring 2011 Edition.
Kristin has been helping people in the Kansas City area resolve family law issues for over a decade. Kristin is a certified Guardian ad Litem and a licensed mediator, two important legal skills that gives Kristin insight into all perspectives in a family law case. Kristin is taking appointments in Jackson and Clay County, Missouri
Kristin is a member of the Missouri and Kansas Bar, a member of the Disciplinary Committee, a participant of the Volunteer Attorney Project, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.
William H. Reynolds
Family Lawyer
When I was 15, my parents went through a divorce, which had a profound impact on our family. A divorce is a difficult and complex process, even under the best of circumstances. Even the most amicable divorce still causes some degree of heartache and pain to those involved. Looking back on my journey through college, law school, and life, I see that my family’s journey helped fuel my passion for helping others facing some legal challenges.
No matter the type of case (divorce, custody, personal injury, business divorce, breach of contract), there is always an impact on those involved. There are always important decisions to be made and sometimes life-altering events to be dealt with by my client(s). Since I began to practice law in 1995, I’ve had the opportunity to help thousands of clients (s) in both simple and various complex matters. Those matters have ranged from multi-million cases in multiple areas of the law, such as divorce, personal injury, and breach of contract cases, to relatively simple versions of the same types of matters. While the numbers and legal complexities of those cases may change, what the client is experiencing and going through is consistent throughout those matters. Thus, I have come to learn is that one of the most valuable things I can assist a client with is making sure we are Responding versus Reacting.
Generally, we are Reacting when we make short-term decisions or choices that conflict with our long-term goals. We are Reacting when we let our emotions, pain, anger, resentments, etc., factor into the choices and decisions we make. We often regret our Reactions and wish we could have done things differently. Often our Reactions move us away from our long-term goals. By contrast, a Response is thoughtful, deliberate, intentional and helps us move on a logical path towards our long-term goal. A Response requires us to pause, take a breath, and gain some clarity on a given situation before we provide a response or take some action.
William "Bill" Cook, Esq.
Family Lawyer
Family law cases can be long and complicated, resulting in lots of questions and concerns about your situation. You need a lawyer you can trust to handle the stresses and problems that may arise during your case and that can effectively help you get back on your feet. William “Bill” Cook is a caring Senior Associate Attorney for Stange Law Firm, PC in Springfield, Missouri with over 30 years of legal & business experience. He can assist clients throughout Greene Country and surrounding areas.
Bill attended law school at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, graduating cum laude, in May 1991. Before studying law, Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO, also graduating cum laude, in 1987. He is licensed and ready to help clients in the State of Missouri.
Before joining the Springfield, MO family law attorneys at Stange Law Firm, PC, Bill has gained vast experience in the legal field, including founding and serving as the Principal for a consulting firm for almost 20 years where he was tasked with providing legal and business planning services to entrepreneurs and companies. In this role, he worked directly with senior management, reviewing and improving clients’ contract management procedures, drafting and revising form contracts and service agreements, reviewing and improving clients’ HR practices and employment agreements, and providing legal advice and business analysis with respect to major strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic realignments, downsizing, bankruptcy, and corporate finance. Bill is excited to work with his clients to help them rebuild their lives.
Nicole Fisher
Family Lawyer
Nicole is the founder and owner of Fisher Law LLC. Nicole focuses her practice exclusively in family law litigation. Nicole prides herself in providing her clients with skilled advocacy while being compassionate to the crisis at hand. Nicole is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Kansas.
After attending undergrad at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, Nicole obtained her law degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Immediately after graduating from law school, Nicole moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she worked for the Federal Public Defender. Missing the Midwest, Nicole moved backed to Kansas City where she clerked for the Honorable Marco Roldan in Independence, Missouri. Nicole opened her own practice in 2011.
Nicole is actively involved with various bar associations as a Past-President of the Association for Women Lawyers, Past-Chair of the Missouri Bar Young Lawyers Section and a member of the American Bar Association, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Johnson County Bar Association, Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, Cass County Bar Association and American Inns of Court. Additionally, Nicole is an active member and volunteer through the Junior League of Kansas City and Jackson County CASA.
Many legal groups have recognized Attorney Nicole Fisher with awards and speaking engagements. She has been chosen as a Super Lawyer since 2018 and frequently speaks at continuing legal education for the Missouri Bar and local county bar associations. Nicole enjoys traveling the globe, local sports (GO ROYALS), live music, and is an avid animal lover.
What is marriage in family law?
In U.S. family law, marriage is a legally recognized union between two individuals that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as toward their children and their property. The legal recognition of marriage comes with a host of benefits, responsibilities, and protections defined under both state and federal law.
Key Aspects of Marriage in U.S. Family Law
Legal Requirements for Marriage:
- Capacity to Marry: Both parties must have the legal capacity to marry, which typically includes being of legal age (usually 18) and mentally competent.
- Consent: Both individuals must freely consent to the marriage without coercion or undue influence.
- Licensing and Ceremony: Most states require couples to obtain a marriage license from the state and have the marriage solemnized through a ceremony conducted by an authorized official (e.g., judge, religious officiant).
Types of Marriages:
- Civil Marriage: A non-religious, legal marriage recognized by the state, typically officiated by a judge or other authorized government official.
- Religious Marriage: A marriage ceremony performed according to the customs and beliefs of a particular religion, which may also be recognized by the state if legal requirements are met.
- Common-Law Marriage: Recognized in a few states, common-law marriage is a legal union that occurs when a couple lives together for a significant period, presents themselves as married, and intends to be married, without a formal ceremony or marriage license.
Legal Rights and Obligations in Marriage:
- Property Rights: In many states, spouses have legal rights to share in the ownership of property acquired during the marriage. Community property states, for example, generally consider assets acquired during the marriage to be jointly owned.
- Spousal Support: Spouses have a legal obligation to support one another financially, which can extend into divorce (through alimony).
- Inheritance Rights: Spouses generally have rights to inherit each other’s property in the absence of a will.
- Tax and Benefits: Married couples can file joint tax returns, receive spousal benefits under Social Security, and access health care and insurance benefits.
Same-Sex Marriage:
- In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, granting same-sex couples the same legal rights and recognition as opposite-sex couples.
Marriage and Divorce:
- Marriage establishes a legal framework for divorce, which involves the division of marital property, determination of spousal support, and child custody arrangements if the marriage ends.
Annulment:
- An annulment is a legal procedure that declares a marriage null and void as if it never legally existed. Grounds for annulment include fraud, coercion, incapacity, and bigamy.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements:
- Couples can enter into legal agreements before or after marriage to determine how assets and liabilities will be handled in the event of divorce or death. These agreements are enforceable if they meet specific legal standards.
Interstate Recognition of Marriage:
- Under the U.S. Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause, a valid marriage in one state must generally be recognized in all other states, though there are some exceptions.
Marriage Law Variations by State
Marriage laws, including age requirements, licensing procedures, and waiting periods, vary by state. While the basic principles are similar, each state has its own statutes and regulations that govern marriage.
Conclusion
In the context of family law, marriage is both a personal commitment and a legal contract that creates specific rights and duties. The recognition of marriage by the state provides spouses with legal protections, financial benefits, and responsibilities. Marriage also plays a crucial role in matters related to property, inheritance, child custody, and divorce within the U.S. legal system.