My first job was in the Kay County District Attorney Office in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Part of my caseload was the prosecution of different types of crimes involving domestic violence. My best day as a prosecutor was when First Assistant District Attorney James Emig and I put Timothy Wayne Lambert in prison for 1,600 years for touching four little girls. I have always been a strong advocate against domestic violence and Read More

Although I truly believe people going through divorce should avoid the courtroom if it all possible, going to court is the favorite part of my job. With Christmas quickly approaching and divorced parents discussing holiday visitation, I wanted to share with you an experience I had a few years ago. The story I am sharing has been edited to protect the parties but I believe it still makes an important point. On Read More

In the world of estate planning, Wills and Trusts are two of the most common tools that you can use. While they can both help you to plan for the future of your estate, they aren’t interchangeable. Many people will need to have both a Will and a Trust in place to properly protect themselves, their assets, and most importantly, their loved ones. Take a moment to read through some of the main differences between the Read More

It is widely known that Trust and Probate laws are unique, full of intricacies, and subject to a vast spectrum of variables. Oklahoma probate laws are no different. In this article we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding Oklahoma probate and trust laws. What exactly is “probate?” Probate is the legal process that protects an individual's assets and estate when they pass away. Upon Read More

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