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Oklahoma Family Law

Divorce

A divorce is very personal. We keep our clients involved from the beginning to the end of their cases. We provide to our clients personal access to their cases online and direct access to their attorney.

We use a variety of online tools to keep our clients informed and involved in their cases. These tools along with our commitment to provide personal and professional services helps us keep our clients satisfied and informed about their cases.

A divorce case can involve:

  • Property Division
  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Child Visitation
  • Child Support

Do you and your spouse agree about your divorce?

If you and your spouse already agree about your divorce, then make it easy! We are pleased to offer express services for those who are seeking to enter an uncontested divorce in Oklahoma. For more information, see our MicroDivorce.com site.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Divorce Process

How long does it take to get a divorce in Oklahoma?

Too long. For detailed information see our article on the length of the divorce process for your reference.

The court portion of a divorce can take around 200 days to get to trial in Cleveland County. Some counties are faster, some are slower, and some cases just seem doomed to languish for months and months.

Where do I file for divorce?

In general, you file for divorce in the county where you have lived for the last 30 days or in the county where your spouse has lived for the last 30 days.

Can I get divorce papers online?

Yes, you can buy divorce papers online. Some are good and some are bad. The court papers themselves are not the complicated part of a divorce – just like having a wrench is not the difficult part of changing your car’s alternator. Be careful, lest you may hurt yourself.

How do I file for divorce in Oklahoma

In order to file for Divorce in Oklahoma you must type up a document called a Petition, sign it, and then deliver it to the court clerk. You must also pay a filing fee.

The Oklahoma courts do not provide any forms or court papers for divorce.

How long do I have to live in Oklahoma to file for a divorce?

Oklahoma law requires that you live in Oklahoma for at least six months before filing for a divorce. However, you can file for a legal separation much sooner.

Do we have to take a parenting class as part of our divorce?

Maybe. Oklahoma allows each court to decide whether parents should have to take parenting classes. It is required in Cleveland County, but not in Oklahoma County.

Does it matter who files first for divorce in Oklahoma?

From a legal stand point, no, it does not. There can be some dramatic and tactical reasons to file first, because it determines who goes first in the trial. Generally, I do not believe it matters in most cases, except the person who files first gets to pay the court filing fee.

Divorce Issues

Should I get a divorce?

This is a question only you can answer. Much like the original question, “Should I marry this person?” You must thoroughly examine the circumstances and decide whether this is the best life decision for you. Before you do, I recommend that you research the consequences by talking to:

  • A close friend about their divorce experience,
  • An experienced counselor/psychologist, or
  • An experienced divorce lawyer.

Then make your best decision. Only you know the answer to this question.

Is there no fault divorce in Oklahoma?

Yes, Oklahoma divorce law allows a couple to divorce without proving that anyone has done anything wrong. Instead, the couple can say that they are incompatible.

What is the difference between legal separation and divorce in Oklahoma?

There are some small differences, but basically a legal separation is all the hard parts of getting a divorce (property division, child custody/visitation, alimony, etc.) without the actual dissolution of your marriage. In other words, you stay married, but the court decides who gets what and decides any custody issues with your kids.

You don’t have to live in Oklahoma for six months to file for legal separation, so people who are in a hurry can file for a legal separation and then later after the time period has passed they change their case to a divorce.

When is a divorce final in Oklahoma?

As soon as the judge says, “You are divorced.” The only restriction after your divorce is that you cannot remarry another person within six months in the state of Oklahoma.

How soon can I remarry after my divorce?

You may not remarry anyone within six months after your divorce in Oklahoma. There are some legal theories that may allow you to remarry sooner outside the state, but I always counsel you to wait.

Can the judge make my ex pay my attorney fees?

Yes, Oklahoma divorce laws do allow the judge to divide the expenses between the spouses and that includes attorney fees.