Category Archives: Divorce

Most Frequently Requested Legal Issues Explained

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In almost two decades of questions from the public at large, I have determined the top five issues people have that compel them to contact an attorney, & created a video for each. 5. Injuries. The public at large is concerned as it should be about what to do if injured. The answer to this question varies greatly depending on the facts and circumstances of your injury. We created a general video to talk about the large umbrella called “tort” law. What might be a tort and what may not be a tort? Could you have a claim? We recommend before contacting an attorney, if you are unsure, think about safety. Did someone fail to keep premises safe? You may already know the area of tort such as an automobile accident or a slip and fall. But what about a child who jumps on an oil rig and his leg … Continue reading →

Happy Father’s Day: Good Good Father

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Strong male figures are important in any person’s life. For many, this figure is a child’s father, but for others, it may be a step parent, sibling, teacher, boss, friend, co-worker, other male figure, or even God, as aptly sung in Good Good Father. This is a perfect day to express gratitude for those influences. This Father’s Day 2016 we want to celebrate “Good Good Fathers” and good men everywhere — which includes all those men who put forth solid effort! I see two issues that perplex many of today’s fathers. The first is how to prepare their children for the future economically. The second is how to have successful relationships. It is no longer enough to just teach your child to get an education and a good job. No longer are large publicly traded employers employee focused. They are primarily investor focused. This fundamental shift is apparent in age … Continue reading →

The Psychology of Litigation: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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Going to court can bring out stress. People do not always behave their best and it is usually one of the worst periods in a person’s life. Whether your lawsuit is against a formerspouse, employer, business partner, or another, it is not unusual for the pressure to push someone into an uncharacteristic mental state. This is what our blog series on the “Psychology of Litigation” addresses. Major stress factors in life include emotionally charged situations or big life changes. This includes Litigation. (See Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) Social Readjustment Ratings Scale here). Litigants should be prepared for the mental stress of Litigation and ready to run the Litigation course long term, if necessary. How different people deal with situational distress caused by litigation can be affected by whether they have a mental condition – diagnosed or not. If mentally healthy people suffer such distress, then imagine the different types of reactions … Continue reading →

Family Law Divorce with Children Video

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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT- Divorce with Children If you are getting a divorce and have children of the marriage, here are some procedures and rules you need to know. Your children must be “of the marriage” (this means biological or adopted, but does not include step-children). First, always consider the best interests of your children in the decisions you make. If questioned about a decision, you must be able to explain how it was in your child’s best interest. If the filing of your divorce involves minor children of the marriage, the court will order you to attend a PPC. That is a Parenting Plan Conference. Here, the judge will call all your cases, speak, and present a video. At the end, you will be ordered to attend a class called “Helping Children Cope with Divorce.” You must obtain a certificate of completion and file it in your case as a matter of court record, before your … Continue reading →

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma: A Golden Rule Resource

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Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma “LASO” is an organization whose mission is “making equal justice for all a reality.” Established in 2001, as a result of the merger of Legal Aid Services of Western and Eastern Oklahoma, LASO is a registered nonprofit that provides civil legal assistance to low income individuals across Oklahoma. If an individual qualifies, they are not charged for any of the services provided by LASO. Funding for the services provided by Legal Aid come from the Legal Services Corporation, the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, 15 United Way or United Fund organizations, as well as generous donations from attorneys, firms, business, and individuals throughout Oklahoma. Those donations can be in the form of funds or the legal time provided by the attorney at no cost to you if LASO approves you for services. In most cases, many attorneys work pro … Continue reading →

How to Choose a Lawyer Video

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The first video I made several years ago is called “How to Choose A Lawyer.” Here is what I said which still applies.  First, you want to make sure that your attorney is qualified. Second, you want to see if you like the attorney’s personality and if you think they’re a good match for you. Third, you want to look at their business practices and procedures. Fourth, you want to have a feeling you can trust your attorney to do the right thing for you when you aren’t there. ARE THEY QUALIFIED? Choosing a lawyer can be a difficult and maybe overwhelming experience. There are so many choices and so many options. Of course you want your attorney to be qualified. You need to have an attorney who is qualified in the area of law, that your issue is in. Try to know and try to understand what area of law it is … Continue reading →

Grounds for Divorce: When It is Important & When It is Not

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Oklahoma Courts & The Grounds for Divorce– When It is Important & When It is Not! The way couples approach divorce vary. Some are matter-of-fact because it has been agreed or discussed. Others find it emotional and heart wrenching, especially, when there were affairs, abuse or highly charged emotional situations. A preliminary question I receive from people is “Can I divorce my spouse specifically for some wrong committed?” Technically, the answer is yes, if it fits within the statutorily enumerated grounds. 43 O.S. ¶ 101 lists these grounds, which are: 1. Abandonment for one (1) year. 2. Adultery. 3. Impotency. 4. When the wife at the time of her marriage was pregnant by another man than her husband. 5. Extreme cruelty. 6. Fraudulent contract. 7. Incompatibility. Provided, however, where the interest of a child under eighteen (18) years of age is involved, the adult parties shall attend an educational program concerning … Continue reading →

The Summons and Notice of Automatic Injunction

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So, either you have served your spouse or your spouse has been served. What happens on service? Unless waived by the parties, page two of the Summons you receive on service with your Petition contains many do’s and don’ts during the pendency of your divorce. Click here for the Summons and Notice of Automatic Injunction form. The language is a bit complicated and sometimes hard to apply to your facts. But here are a few examples: 1. Do not disturb the peace of the other party; 2. Do not open or divert the other’s party’s mail; 3. Do not cancel health or life insurance benefits. As a basic rule, if you spend money, be able to account for it and answer for the expenditure or you may be in trouble! Read the language in the automatic injunction carefully, and be prepared to discuss any questions with an attorney! We’re always here to help. … Continue reading →

Information to Be Provided to the Other Spouse

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Not only during your divorce action, will you be required to repeatedly complete budgets and provide financial documentation, but you will also be allowed to ask questions to your soon to be ex-spouse. These written discovery requests are called Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents or Things and, sometimes Requests for Admission are sent. However, it is usually well before this stage that some judicial districts require other disclosures as well. You should consult to check with an attorney on local rules, however, in Tulsa County or the 14th Judicial District which serves Tulsa and Pawnee Counties. The current Rule is called “DR 5.” It is Domestic Court Rule 5, and it states: RULE DR 5. Discovery 1. Within twenty (20) days of the date of service of summons or no later than 48 hours before the temporary order hearing, whichever is earlier, both parties shall exchange copies of the following … Continue reading →

Family & Children’s Services

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Family & Children’s Services Family & Children Services offers many resources to help families and children. Not only does it offer the class “Helping Children Cope With Divorce,” which divorcing spouses with children together are ordered to attend, but they offer many other classes for children, general counseling at reduced prices, and even anger management courses. Family & Children Services is a great organization helping our community, you should look into for help for you or your family or to support! If you are undergoing a divorce in Tulsa County with Children sign up for their Helping Children Cope with Divorce class you will be ordered to attend at the PPC or Parenting Plan Conference. Contact them or visit for any family, social or counseling needs. Also visit our Golden Rule Website or Family Law page for information to help you like this and in many other areas of life. … Continue reading →