Oklahoma City Domestic Violence Allegation Lawyer

Allegations of domestic violence are enough to impact your life dramatically. While you are considered innocent until proven guilty in a criminal case, mere allegations could affect your parental rights or the outcome of a divorce case.

If you are facing allegations of domestic violence, now is the time to enlist the help of a skilled family attorney. These allegations could impact child custody, support, visitation, or alimony disputes. Let an Oklahoma City domestic violence allegation lawyer at The Smith Firm help you protect your rights during this challenging time.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a broad term that can apply to several alleged acts. However, in general, domestic violence is some form of violent act committed by one family or household member to another.

The term “domestic violence” often leaves an impression of a violent act between spouses. However, it is important to understand that this term applies to more than just married individuals. The term also includes family members, roommates, former couples, or co-parents.

Domestic violence involves any type of violent act that is already a criminal offense. For example, it can include assault between family or household members. Acts of domestic violence can impact divorce cases, but they can also come into play between former spouses or co-parents involved in child custody disputes. No matter what kind of allegation has been made against you, a committed Oklahoma City domestic violence attorney could help build a strong defense on your behalf.

How Allegations Impact Divorce and Custody Cases

There are many ways that domestic abuse allegations could impact the outcome of family law cases. While these often involve divorce cases, they can also impact child custody disputes. Some of these ways include:

Divorce

Oklahoma is a “no-fault” divorce state, which means one spouse does not need specific grounds for divorcing their partner other than establishing that the relationship is irretrievably broken. In other words, it is not necessary to prove that domestic violence occurred to secure a divorce order.

Alimony

While domestic violence allegations might not impact the ability to divorce, they can tip the scales in certain parts of the divorce process. Specifically, they can affect an award of alimony. It is important to understand that forms of spousal support are not designed to be punitive. Therefore, while a court might not award alimony as a result of allegations of domestic abuse, an award could be made if a spouse can establish that domestic abuse diminished their ability to be financially self-supported.

Child Custody

Allegations of domestic violence can have a major impact on a child custody determination. While the courts attempt to give both parents an opportunity to build a relationship with a minor child, they have an obligation to act in the child’s best interest. Allegations of domestic violence against you could be enough to result in the other parent receiving custody. These allegations could also lead to mandatory supervision during visits with your children. Such consequences can occur even if you have never been found guilty of a crime. A dedicated domestic violence allegation lawyer in Oklahoma City could work to keep your relationship with your children intact.