It is incredibly challenging for even the most well-tempered people to keep their cool when trying to come to agreements on family law matters. When you are dealing with things such as property division, paternity, child custody, and spousal support, it can be difficult for everyone to walk away happy.

How you settle these matters could impact you for the rest of your life, and in an ideal world, you want to protect relationships, ensure all decisions are in the best interests of children, and protect your future. That’s why seeking representation from an Oklahoma City family law lawyer is so important.

The lawyers at Palmer Law can guide you through all family law issues. We will defuse arguments and help you negotiate while protecting the interests of the children and our client.

Don’t take chances when your future is at stake. Contact a lawyer you can trust.

Call our law office today and seek a free consultation with one of our family law lawyers at 405-877-7112.

Palmer Law is Here To Help in Oklahoma City, OK

Palmer Law is a full-service law firm. Our legal services include a broad range of family law proceedings, as well as personal injury and criminal defense. Our expertise means that we can handle whatever your case throws at us.

Some of the family law matters we can help you with include:

  • Uncontested Divorce – When you can agree on all issues.
  • Court Representation – If you need to go to trial to protect your rights.
  • Joint Custody – When it is in the child’s best interest to keep both parents involved in their life.
  • Full Custody – If it is necessary.
  • Child Support – To support the financial impact of raising children.
  • Change Your Divorce Decree – When your situation changes.
  • Establish Paternity – Even when you are not married.
  • Protect You From Domestic Violence – When you need a protective order.
  • Adoption – For step-parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other family members.
  • Protect Your Wealth – With a prenuptial agreement.
  • Keep The Things That Matter To You – With a divorce decree that divides property fairly.

Uncontested Divorce

In Oklahoma City, you may be able to file for an uncontested divorce, known as dissolution of marriage, if you and your spouse can agree on all issues.

A family law lawyer at Palmer Law can help you reach a comprehensive settlement on all your divorce issues, which can save you time, money, and stress that is associated with a court hearing. Your lawyer will make sure that everything is fair and that your legal rights are protected.

Contested Divorce

If you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on all issues, then you will need to file for a contested divorce, which means that the court will make some decisions on your behalf. An attorney can help you work through issues, and reach an agreement at any point during your divorce. Your Oklahoma City divorce attorney will also represent you in court and fight for your best interests.

Child Custody

When children are involved in a divorce, child custody is often one of the most complicated issues to deal with. You need an experienced lawyer in family law who will put the needs of children first while protecting your interests.

A child custody lawyer can guide you to agree on a parenting plan that meets your family’s needs, including custody arrangements, visitation, relocation, and other legal hurdles.

In Oklahoma, parents can be awarded legal and physical custody. It is important to understand the differences so that you can fight for what’s best for you.

  • Sole Legal Custody – One parent has exclusive rights to make decisions on behalf of the child, such as medical, educational, and religious decisions.
  • Sole Physical Custody – The child lives with one parent, and the other has visitation rights.
  • Joint Legal Custody – Both parents have the right to make decisions on the child’s behalf
  • Joint Physical Custody – The child lives with each parent for a substantial amount of time.

Child Support

Parents have a legal obligation to contribute to their child’s upbringing financially. Often, the child lives primarily with the custodial parent, and the other will need to pay child support. The amount will vary depending on how much time they spend with their child, the child’s needs, and how much they earn. The law surrounding child support is complex, but an Oklahoma City family law lawyer can help you come to a fair arrangement.

Divorce Decree Modifications

Your divorce decree is a legally binding document but it is not unchangeable. However, in order to be successful, you will need to prove a “permanent, material, and substantial change of circumstances.”

Examples include injury, changing needs of the child, or job loss. You will need strong evidence to back your claim, so your best option is to seek advice from a family law lawyer so they can help you build your case before seeking approval from a family judge.

Establishing Paternity

In Oklahoma, when a child is born to a married couple, the husband is automatically presumed to be the legal father, which means that they have rights and responsibilities to that child. The child also has certain rights, such as the right to inheritance.

However, if the parents are not married when the child is born, then there is no presumption, and in order for the father to be legally recognized as a parent, he will need to establish paternity.

There are two ways to do this, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Voluntarily Establishing Paternity

If both parties agree as to who the father is, then they can establish paternity easily by signing an “Acknowledgement of Paternity” (AOP). This can be done at the hospital when the baby is born or at a county health department or child support office at a later date.

Involuntarily Establishing Paternity

If the mother and potential father do not agree, then a paternity lawsuit will need to be filed by either parent. They can settle the case at any time, or they can go to trial, and the judge will issue a final paternity order, but only if genetic testing shows a 99% or greater probability of paternity.

Domestic Violence

In the last few years, the reports of domestic violence have increased drastically. We understand how difficult it is to get out of an abusive situation, but we urge you to give us a call.

We can help you feel safe by filing an injunction with the court to keep your spouse from contacting you and your children. If you are married to your spouse, we will also help you navigate divorce so that the court understands the extent of your experiences.

Adoption

The adoption process is often incredibly stressful and emotional for families. No two cases are the same, and individual circumstances will undergo a comprehensive evaluation. It is important to have experienced Oklahoma City family law lawyers on your side who can maximize your chances of success.

Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that couples can sign before they marry. It sets out who owns what, including property, money, and other assets. When a prenuptial agreement protects property, it won’t be subject to division upon divorce. When you make the decision to marry, the last thing on your mind will be divorce. However, prenuptial agreements can be very important, especially for people with high-value assets. It ensures your future is protected, no matter what happens.

Property Division

Oklahoma is an equitable distribution state, which means that when you divorce, property must be divided in a fair manner. First, property is divided into separate and marital.

Separate property will continue to belong to each individual and includes all assets either party owned before marriage.

Anything acquired during the marriage is marital property and will be split.

In equitable distribution states, the property is not divided equally, but rather in a fair way. Several factors are up for consideration, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s needs, the contribution of each party, and more.

At Palmer Law, we will help protect the assets that are important to you, such as your home and valuables and your savings and retirement accounts.

How Can an Experienced Family Law Lawyer in Oklahoma City, OH Help Me?

You shouldn’t go through the divorce process alone. When you have an experienced Oklahoma City family law lawyer by your side, you can feel secure that someone is fighting for your best interests.

We understand the sensitive nature of family law cases and will navigate your case with compassion and dedication.

Our Oklahoma family law services are comprehensive, and whatever your case throws at us, our law firm will be there to support you.

Completing Paperwork, and Meeting Deadlines

Any legal matter involves a lot of paperwork and important deadlines. For people unfamiliar with legal processes, this can quickly become overwhelming. A family law lawyer will make sure that all paperwork is completed to the highest standard, your claims are evidenced, and everything is submitted on time. This will help speed up the process and reduce stress.

Experts and Consultants

If your case involves privately owned businesses, high assets, off-shore accounts, or other matters of importance, your family law attorney may bring in experts, such as business valuators or accountants. This can speed up the process and provide important evidence for your requests.

Objectivity

In high-conflict situations, it is often helpful to have an objective party on hand to guide you. While you may be tempted to run with a quick resolution, you will live with the outcomes for years to come, so it is essential that you keep your interests at the forefront. Your family law attorney will ensure that everything keeps moving forward without compromising anything.

Negotiation

Our Oklahoma City family law lawyers are highly trained in mediation and negotiation. They will help you sit down with your ex-spouse and come to amicable agreements. This saves time and money from court fees and can foster a positive relationship between ex-spouses, which is particularly important if you have children.

Experience Working with Other Family Law Lawyers

Your partner will likely have a lawyer of their own, which could feel intimidating. However, your family law lawyer will deal with them on your behalf. They will work with them to exchange information in the discovery process, settlement negotiations, and court proceedings. When you each have a lawyer, matters can be dealt with efficiently, fairly, and in line with the law.

Litigation Experience

Of course, negotiation is not always possible, and sometimes litigation is essential for a fair outcome. At Palmer Law, your family law lawyer will have a wealth of experience dealing with family courts in Oklahoma City. They will probably be familiar with your family court judge and will use their knowledge of their previous decisions to benefit your case.

Settlement Agreements

Your Oklahoma City family law lawyer will work tirelessly to secure a divorce settlement agreement that meets your needs. They will strive to protect your interests so you can look forward to a bright future.

Choosing the Right Family Law Lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK

Choosing the right Oklahoma City family law lawyer is a challenging decision. The right representation can change the outcome of your divorce and the stress associated with the divorce process.

It is important that you have a trusting relationship with someone who takes the time to listen to and understand your needs. You also need someone who keeps moving your case forward without sacrificing any aspect of your case.

When contacting potential law firms, it is always a good idea to speak to them in a free consultation first if they offer one. This gives you the opportunity to determine if they are a good fit.

Some of the things you may want to consider are:

  • Do they have experience in cases similar to yours? – They should have experience dealing with the factors that are relevant to your case, and they should be able to show you testimonials from previous happy clients.
  • Do you like them? – It isn’t all about experience. It’s also important to get along with your lawyer. You should feel comfortable speaking with them, as you may be spending a lot of time with them, and they will be dealing with matters that are highly personal to you.
  • Communication – Ask them how long it will take them to get back to you. While you can’t expect your lawyer to always be available, they should be prompt to answer your questions and not have large caseloads that prevent them from giving your case the attention it needs.
  • Budget – It is important that your lawyer can work within your budget and is willing to discuss their fees upfront.

Oklahoma City Family Law FAQs

Complex divorces can take two years or maybe even longer to complete in Oklahoma City, OK. In the meantime, you might need some help on key issues, such as who cares for your children and makes decisions on their behalf.

An Oklahoma City family law lawyer can help you file for a temporary order, which will give you court guidance that will be in place until your divorce is finalized. Sometimes the court will also step in and create these orders even if you do not file.

While temporary orders do not last forever, they should be taken very seriously. It is often considered to be in a child’s best interests to keep a sense of normality in their lives; therefore, temporary orders can impact the final decision.

Each case is different, and at Palmer Law, we will calculate the cost of your case depending on its complexity. However, we always keep our costs competitive and will give you an idea of what your claim could cost you in your free consultation.

A family law case that involves aunts and uncles or grandparents seeking rights to children is complex. While they do not have presumed rights, it is possible in Oklahoma for them to secure a “kinship placement.” However, it requires court involvement, and you should seek help from a family law attorney to find out what legal options are available to you.

The majority of divorces in Oklahoma are filed on a no-fault basis, which does not place blame on either party, but rather ends the marriage on the basis that there is no reasonable hope of reconciliation.

However, an at-fault divorce may be filed in cases involving abandonment, adultery, cruelty, fraud, imprisonment, the conviction of a felony, and others.

To start a custody case in Oklahoma City, you will first need to file a “petition for determination of custody and visitation” in court. Depending on the circumstances of your case, it could be a long and complex process, and you should seek help from an Oklahoma City family law lawyer to maximize your chances of a good outcome.

Lawyers With Experience & Resources That Work For You

When fighting over family law matters such as child custody and property division, the decisions you come to are extremely important. A family law lawyer will ensure that communication does not break down, which can often lead to unfavorable outcomes.

It is essential that you make decisions from a place of clarity, and your family law lawyer will be there to advise you every step of the way.

Lloyd Brent Palmer has been practicing family law for more than a decade. He has extensive trial experience and is prepared to take whatever your case brings up.

Schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City family law lawyer today at 405-877-7112.