Check out our attorneys, paralegals and support staff ready to help you
We have tons of articles about family law and divorce issues.
When family issues have legal implications, you need an experienced family law attorney to provide guidance and, if necessary, fierce advocacy. An Oklahoma City family lawyer is here to help you navigate your legal issues and achieve the best result for your family.
With years of experience helping people protect their assets and secure appropriate access to their children, The Smith Firm should be your first call if you are considering marriage or divorce. Spouses and parents without capable legal guidance could give up more than necessary, endangering their financial security and relationships with their children.
Child custody battles are heartbreaking for both spouses and can be devastating for children. However, if one spouse tries to prevent the other from having a meaningful relationship with their children, a custody dispute could be inevitable.
A dedicated Oklahoma City family law attorney will fight to preserve a parent’s right to have frequent and meaningful contact with their children. Oklahoma Statute § 43.109 provides for joint custody arrangements, although a judge could award custody to one parent if doing so is in the children’s best interests.
The law also requires a judge to consider any history of domestic violence or harassment when making custody decisions. However, the law does not prevent a shared parenting arrangement when domestic violence has been an issue; it just requires the court to consider it in the context of the child’s best interest. If necessary, a proactive legal professional could present evidence demonstrating that a parent has taken steps to prevent a recurrence of domestic violence and safeguard the children.
Divorce is emotionally wrenching, but it could also cause financial devastation. Primary wage-earners sometimes feel that divorce courts favor the dependent spouse and deprive the provider of the fruits of their labor.
The law in this state requires spouses to divide marital property equitably, which does not mean equally. The judge must give each spouse’s contributions to the marriage and family life weight when dividing their marital assets.
An Oklahoma City family attorney from our firm is a proud advocate for spouses who have been good providers and expect fair treatment in divorce. Our diligent legal professionals use all appropriate means to ensure that property division is fair, children have adequate financial support, and former spouses become self-supporting as soon as is reasonable under the circumstances.
The decision to marry is exciting, and it can be easy to get caught up in the romance and forget about the practicalities of life after the wedding. A consultation with a seasoned family lawyer in Oklahoma City could help you set financial expectations to protect your assets and guide your financial decision-making during the marriage.
A prenuptial agreement is valuable for all couples, not just those who are wealthy or who have widely disparate resources. A prenup requires each spouse to disclose their assets and debts. A frank discussion of these issues before marriage can prevent nasty surprises later.
Prenuptial agreements can protect family businesses, preserve a spouse’s property with sentimental value, and help a couple decide how to share their resources once married. If the marriage ends, a prenup could direct the division of marital property and whether a spouse receives continuing support. Working through these issues in advance could potentially reduce the expense, duration, and stress of a divorce.
Ever wondered when you should start dating during a divorce? Questions about divorce, custody, child support, property division, and more are covered in our Oklahoma Divorce Guidebook.
Knowing what to anticipate in the family law process will help alleviate uncertainty and give you the peace of mind to know what to expect as you go. In one page we’ve laid out the journey from start to finish to get you where you want to go.
When a family situation requires legal assistance, turn to a firm committed to fairness and equality in marriage, divorce, and child custody. If you are concerned that a court will favor your spouse or co-parent, an Oklahoma City family lawyer at The Smith Firm will advocate zealously to assert your rights.
In any legal matter involving family, you need an attorney who has your back. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn how we could help you.