In an ideal world, both parties would cooperate and follow the parenting plan, without causing extra stress on the children. Unfortunately, as a family law lawyer, I see first hand that it doesn't always work out this well. Sometimes, the court's power is required to order and demand cooperation. This following Kansas statute was enacted to assist divorce lawyers and the families to deal with tough situations like this.

Article 7. - ENFORCEMENT OF VISITATION RIGHTS

K.S.A. 23-701. Expedited procedure. (a) The purpose of this section is to enhance the enforcement of court ordered child visitation rights and parenting time by establishing a simplified, expedited procedure to provide justice without necessitating the assistance of legal counsel.

(b) A party who has been granted visitation rights or parenting time may file with the court a motion alleging denial or interference with those rights and enforcement of those rights. The district court shall provide a form on which such motion may be filed. Such expedited matters shall be heard by a district judge, court trustee, or magistrate, sitting as a hearing officer. The provisions of this section are in addition to those enforcement procedures provided in the uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act, and amendments thereto, and other remedies provided by law.

(c) When a motion seeking expedited enforcement under subsection (b) is filed, the hearing officer shall immediately:

(1)  Set a time and place for a hearing on the motion, which shall not be more than 21 days after the date on which the motion was filed; or

(2) if deemed appropriate, issue an ex parte order for mediation in accordance with K.S.A. 23-601 et seq., and amendments thereto.

(d)  If mediation ordered pursuant to subsection (c) is completed, the mediator shall submit a summary of the parties' understanding to the hearing officer within five days after it is signed by the parties. Upon receipt of the summary, the hearing officer shall enter an order in accordance with the parties' agreement or set a time and place for a hearing on the matter, which shall be not more than 10 days after the summary is received by the hearing officer.

(e) If mediation ordered pursuant to subsection (c) is terminated pursuant to K.S.A. 23-604, and amendments thereto, the mediator shall report the termination to the hearing officer within five days after the termination. Upon receipt of the report, the matter shall be set for hearing. Any such hearing shall be not more than 10 days after the mediator's report of termination is received by the hearing officer.

(f)  Notice of the hearing date set by the hearing officer shall be given to all interested parties by certified mail, return receipt requested, or as the court may order.

(g) If, upon hearing the hearing officer finds that there has been an unreasonable interference with or denial of visitation or parenting time, the hearing officer shall enter an order providing for one or more of the following:

(1) A specific schedule for visitation or parenting time;

(2)  compensating visitation or parenting time to the party suffering interference or denial of visitation or parenting time, which time shall be of the same type (e.g., holiday, weekday, weekend, summer) as for which denial or interference was found and which shall be at the convenience of the party suffering the denial or interference of visitation or parenting time;

(3) the posting of a bond, either cash or with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon compliance with the order granting visitation rights or parenting time;

(4)  assessment of reasonable attorney fees, mediation costs and costs of the proceedings to enforce visitation rights or parenting time against the person responsible for the unreasonable denial or interference with visitation or parenting time other than the child;

(5)  attendance of one or more of the parties to the action at counseling or educational sessions which focus on the impact on children of disputes regarding visitation or parenting time. Expenses shall be assessed to the person responsible for the denial or interference with visitation or parenting time;

(6) supervised visitation or parenting time; or

(7)  any other remedy which the hearing officer considers appropriate, except, if a hearing officer is not a district judge, the hearing officer shall not enter any order which grants a new order, or modifies an existing order for child support, child custody, residency, or maintenance.

(h) Decisions of any hearing officer who is not a district judge shall be subject to review by a district judge on the motion of any party filed within 14 days after the order was entered.

(i) In no case shall final disposition of a motion filed pursuant to this section take place more than 45 days after the filing of such motion.