Category Archives: family law

Announcement: Oklahoma’s First Divorce Fee Calculator

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Tracy A. Cinocca P.C. is proud to bring you, the first Oklahoma Attorney Divorce Fee Calculator! We have developed this calculator as a public service to help individuals acquire a better understanding of the factors that can increase the cost of divorce. Like most attorneys, we make no guarantees; however we hope that this calculator can educate you about: 1. The possible cost of a divorce in Tulsa and Oklahoma Counties; and most importantly, 2. Factors that can increase the cost of your divorce. Costs for attorneys vary depending on billing practices and procedures, use of legal assistants or other personnel at lower rates, and the rate of the attorney versus that law firm’s efficiency. Rates are typically lower in smaller counties and towns than Oklahoma City and Tulsa, when you choose local counsel. We hope that this tool can help expectations and management in your divorce. Before you press … Continue reading →

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 →

Family Law: In All Divorces Video

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Family Law: In All Divorces You or your spouse just filed for divorce– now what? Divorce can devastate families. If it happens, there are 3 steps that I recommend you take. 1. Gather all important paperwork from your life together. This means: bank statements, credit card statements, retirement accounts, etc. 2. Consult with an attorney. Find out what the costs may be for your divorce and the factors that could increase those costs. If you and your spouse are able to work out an agreement, you could save a lot of time and money. Get that information to your attorney to draft the paperwork and you’re done. (A good tool is our Attorney Fee Calculator). 3. If you find yourself in a courtroom because you can’t agree, you need to know the rules. This is VERY important. You need to know the conduct that is expected of you. Look at the Summons and Notice of Automatic … Continue reading →

Wedding Bells & Pre-Nuptial Agreements

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It’s that time of year! June Weddings! So much goes into a person’s decision about whom to make their spouse (or ought to, at least!). For those interested in a forever-marriage, a pre-nuptial agreement should be seriously considered. The coordinated process to complete a pre-nuptial agreement, encourages frank communication. Each person’s values and expectations can be further explored, including what each expects if things go wrong. December weddings are on the rise, but June is consistently the most traditional. Marriages are occurring at a rate of 7% per 1,000 total population (CDC). Specifically within Oklahoma, the rate of marriage licenses being issued has been above 7% since 2005; however, at the same time, the divorce rate is fluctuating between 4-5%. To put that in a different perspective for 2013 Oklahoma issued 27,275 marriage licenses, and issued 17,727 divorce decrees (Oklahoma State Department of Health). A person should not just plan … 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 →

Street School: A Golden Rule Resource

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Our Golden Rule page lists many organizations with resources to help those in need. One of those organizations, and one of our favorites, is Street School. Street School provides a unique opportunity to students who are unable to complete their studies in the traditional Tulsa public school system. This non-profit offers a tuition-free alternative high school. It provides education and counseling to it’s students. This combination is the foundation for it’s unique “dropout prevention, intervention & recovery program accredited by Tulsa Public Schools for students in grades 9 through 12.” Only students who genuinely want to complete high school are allowed. This includes students who have experienced personal tragedies in their families or health, made a serious mistake they regret, and even some who have become pregnant. Street School is there for these children who failed in a traditional academic environment to give them another chance to succeed without a lifetime punishment … 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 →

Teen Stages – Book Review Compared to the Best Interests Standard in Divorce

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I have family law clients with a variety of issues that arise in raising their children and divorce. I am asked all types of questions, not necessarily pertaining to law, but also the simple how-to-manage teen problems in a manner that will prevent litigation issues, as well as be best for the children. For any parent with a teenage child, or soon-to be-teenage child, they raise, I recommend the book: Teen Stages. It provides insight and another way to think about your developing child after the baby and young years have passed. The insight in this book makes it much easier to exercise patience and understanding with rebellious or uncooperative teens. For example, consider that your teenager, though physically and mentally more mature, has emotionally regressed back to the toddler years. This explains teenage rebellion, defiance and emotions in a way many parents can relate. If they think of their … 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 →