There are no denying the benefits that social media has enabled us. From staying in touch with old friends and distant relatives to staying informed and entertained, the advent of social media allows us practically endless communication opportunities. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to social media use. Once you put something out there on Facebook, Twitter or some other network, it’s out there – out there for good even if you delete it. That’s why the Tulsa divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder want you to know that if you are going through a divorce, have just filed for a divorce or are thinking about filing for a divorce, you should proceed with extreme caution when using social media.

With that in mind, the our Tulsa divorce lawyers have put together a few things for you to consider when using social media if you find yourself going through one of the above scenarios.

Err on the Side of Caution

Simply put: This means think before you post. Even if you have the best intentions and think what you’re posting is harmless, your ex-spouse, friends and even relatives might not see it that way. On the surface, going out to happy hour with some co-workers is perfectly normal, but it’s probably something you’re not going to want to tweet about or put up on Instagram.

Don’t be Negative

Simply put: Don’t badmouth anybody. Social media leads to a lot of impulsive behavior and outbursts, which is definitely not what you need if you’re going through a divorce or a contested child custody battle. This means absolutely don’t badmouth your ex, a judge, or the opposing attorney. Your social media posts can be documented and admitted into court. In fact, Family Lawyer Magazine contends that most courts adhere to the policy that “social media is discoverable for three main reasons; 1. It does not violate any privacy as there is no expectation of privacy 2. It can be relevant 3.It does not violate any privilege.”

Check Your Privacy Settings and Think Twice About Who You Friend

It is amazing that many social media users, let alone those going through a divorce, don’t know their privacy settings. If you are using social media, at the very least, make sure that what you’re posting is not being seen by the general public. Also, if you are going through a divorce or heated custody battle, there just might be chance that your ex has enlisted someone to “friend” or “follow” you on a social media site. If you don’t know the person or are unsure about their intentions, don’t accept their request.

Factoring in all of the above information and your present situation, there might be a chance you will just want to logoff and take a vacation from social media for a while with which the Tulsa divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder say is perfectly OK.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Together, the Tulsa divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder make up one of the most elite legal teams in the state. Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. continues to prove the he arguably is the best Tulsa divorce lawyer, as he was honored as the Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 by Best Lawyers® and has been selected as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer® every year since 2007.

Fellow Fry & Elder attorneys, James R. Elder, M. Shane Henry, and Aaron D. Bundy, along with Fry, are AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, which is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.

Additionally, T. Luke Barteaux, along with Henry and Bundy each have been selected as Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™. Collectively, these five have helped establish Fry & Elder as one of the top divorce law firms in nation. The U.S. News & World Report has named Fry & Elder to exclusive list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016.

The firm recently hired attorneys Katie Egan, Lorena Rivas and Melissa Fell to help round out the staff. In addition to Oklahoma, Egan is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and New York, while Rivas is bilingual and will focus on Oklahoma immigration law and family law.

While the firm continues to be known for its excellence in family law, Fry & Elder has grown and expanded its legal reach into Oklahoma criminal law, personal injury law and immigration law services. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven, experienced and acclaimed Tulsa divorce lawyer.

The New Year is all about resolutions. If you went through a divorce in 2015, there’s a good chance you’re expecting 2016 to be a little better and kinder to you. With that in mind, the Tulsa divorce law firm of Fry & Elder wishes to offer you a few resolution ideas for 2016 that will hopefully make your New Year a great one.

Put Yourself First

Whether this sounds easy or difficult, putting yourself first is an essential component in properly starting over. Bouncing back from a divorce isn’t easy, which is why it’s important that you remain confident, think about the future and not dwell on the past. The dawning of a New Year is as good a reminder of any that it’s time to move on.

Make New Friends and Try New Things

That cooking class you always wanted to take or that hobby you always wanted to try out, well, now’s your chance. Go ahead and try something new. Not only will it give you something to do, it will enhance your confidence and further prove to you that you are capable of moving on after your divorce. Another added bonus is that you’re probably going to meet a few new people along the way. And who knows, maybe you also make a couple of new friends.

Don’t Date Just for the Sake of Dating or to Avoid Being Alone

The last thing you want to do is get back into a relationship for the wrong reasons. Things that were a problem in your previous marriage likely will rear their head again in the new relationship, and you also likely will not be with a healthy and happy person. If you are afraid of being alone, chances are you will be with someone who also is afraid of being alone, which is not healthy for either party.

Be Grateful

While your divorce and separation may have been a very difficult experience, there are almost certainly things in your life that are blessings – family, health, employment. Focus on those positives and then look for ways to incorporate more positives in your life.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

The Tulsa divorce law firm of Fry & Elder has long been considered one of the most elite law firms in Oklahoma and throughout the United States, as evidenced by our firm making the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016.

Robert G “Hap” Fry continues to prove that he is arguably the best Tulsa divorce lawyer. He was honored as the Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 by Best Lawyers® and has been selected as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer® every year since 2007 Fellow firm and Tulsa divorce lawyers M. Shane Henry, T. Luke Barteaux and Aaron D. Bundy have each been selected as Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™

In addition to being an elite Tulsa divorce law firm, Fry & Elder is well versed in criminal law, immigration law and personal injury law. The firm recently hired Katie Egan, Lorena Rivas and Melissa Fell to help round out the staff. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven Tulsa trial lawyer.

For many, the holidays are an eagerly anticipated time of the year. They are a great time for families to come together to celebrate one another, their faith and the upcoming New Year. While this is the case for many, it’s not for some people out there, particularly for those who have recently gone through a Tulsa divorce and will have to coordinate child custody during the holiday season for the first time. The Tulsa divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder recognize this and wish to help provide you with a few Do’s and Don’ts to help your through this holiday season.

Do take some time to discuss the holidays with your children

Once the holiday schedule has been finalized between your ex-spouse and you, talk to your children about where they will be when and on which day. Quite often, children benefit from knowing what their schedule will be like in advance so that they can have a better understanding of how the holidays will work.

Do try and be accommodating and understanding with your ex-spouse

While it is important to review and follow your custody order, something might come up last minute that requires a little flexibility on you part. If it is your ex that needs you to be a little more flexible, it is important that you keep in mind that one day you might need the favor returned. Ultimately, you need to remember your children and how memorable the holidays are to them. The smoother things go, the better for all parties.

Don’t be scared of trying something new out this holiday season

True, tradition plays a big role in how a family celebrates the holidays, but there is nothing wrong with incorporating something new this year. This might entail a special Christmas outing (looking at lights, bowling or a movie) or trying out a new dish or recipe. Maybe this Christmas isn’t your year to have the children so you assign a special Christmas day for them and you this year.

Don’t place an overwhelming importance on having the “actual” holiday

Of course, it would be great to have you children wake up on your home Christmas morning, but it does not make or break the holiday or the time you will be spending together. Just like they are for you, the holidays are about much more than the actual. There are not many children out there who will have any problems opening presents on two separate occasions this Christmas.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

If you are having a child custody issue this holiday season or any other time of the year, don’t hesitate to contact the Tulsa divorce lawyers at Fry & Elder. For over 40 years, our firm has been identified as a premier family law firm in Tulsa and throughout the United States.

The U.S. News & World Report has put Fry & Elder on its exclusive list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016. Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry was honored as the Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016 by Best Lawyers® and has been selected as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer® every year since 2007 Fellow firm and Tulsa divorce lawyers M. Shane Henry, T. Luke Barteaux and Aaron D. Bundy have each been selected as Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™

In addition to Tulsa family law, Fry & Elder is well versed in criminal law, immigration law and personal injury law. The firm recently hired Katie Egan, Lorena Rivas and Melissa Fell to help round out the staff. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a proven Tulsa trial lawyer.