If you have minor children, there is one key element you must absolutely include in your estate plan: your choice of legal guardian. In the event that you become incapacitated or pass away, your chosen guardian will assume the care of your children and provide them with a stable home. Naming a guardian prevents them from going into state care, so you can still have a say in your kids' future even after you are no Read More

Your will is an essential estate planning tool, and in many cases it's foolproof—as long as it's used effectively. Before you start drafting the next update to your will, here are a few things to keep in mind about what a will can and cannot do. It CAN control where your assets end up. When you make a will, you get to decide exactly where your money and property will go after you pass away. That means you can Read More

Emotions often run high during child custody proceedings. In their emotional state, parents often make poor choices that that can cost them custody of their child.  Even if acting with good intentions, you should take care to avoid the following common pitfalls—or risk losing custody of your child.   1) Taking your children without notice. In order to make the right decision about child custody, the court wants Read More

If you're part of an unmarried couple in Oklahoma, you lack a few of the legal privileges enjoyed by married couples. One of these is the “presumption of paternity,” which means that when two married people have a baby, the husband automatically gains the status of legal father. The same is not true for a biological father who isn't married to the baby's mother. In this case, you'll have to “establish paternity” Read More

If you're going through the divorce process, you probably have plenty of issues on your mind, from child custody to property division to visitation rights. What about alimony? It can be difficult to predict if alimony, or spousal support, will become a factor in your divorce case. Keep reading to find out what awarding alimony looks like in the state of Oklahoma. How is alimony paid? If an Oklahoma court Read More

When you're considering a divorce, it's important to understand the family laws particular to your state. After all, issues like property division and child custody tend to vary from state to state. If you live in Oklahoma, for instance, the courts must distinguish between marital and separate property before they can be divided between you and your ex-spouse. You'll want to understand the difference between the two Read More

It's never easy to watch your children go through a divorce. If you're a grandparent seeking custody of your grandchildren in the wake of a divorce, things can get even more complicated. You may naturally be concerned about your relationship with your grandchildren post-divorce. Once the divorce is finalized, how do you fit into the picture? What are your legal rights as a grandparent? Let's take a look at the Read More

Are you prepared for life after divorce? If you’re only just starting to consider divorce, chances are you haven’t give much thought to your future finances. You have a difficult decision to make, but it never hurts to plan for any eventuality. Follow these steps early on to protect your money and your financial standing before the divorce process begins. Step 1: Grow Your “Rainy Day” Fund That’s why you have Read More

As difficult as separation and divorce may be, perhaps the most difficult part occurs when all of the third parties previously involved in the divorce process are gone and you are left alone to co-parent with your ex spouse. For some, co-parenting comes naturally and amicably. For others, the experience is more contentious. The good news is, there are practices you can implement to make co-parenting easier for you Read More

If you’re going through a divorce with children in the mix, it’s probably safe to say that thoughts about your kids’ well-being is taking up just as much of your attention as the divorce itself. Even so, it can be hard to keep the spotlight on them while you’re sorting out your emotions, your affairs, and your legal responsibilities. What are some of the best ways to help your children cope with the divorce process? Read More