Fry & Elder Tulsa Law Firm

Divorce, Child Custody, Protective Orders, Criminal Defense

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Tulsa, OK Law Firm
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What to look for in a Skilled Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

There is no shortage of divorce lawyers in Tulsa or anywhere else out there for that matter. That said, not all attorneys are created equally. If you are going through a high-conflict divorce, it is all but imperative that you seek out a well-skilled, experienced and accomplished Tulsa divorce lawyer.

Top Tulsa divorce lawyer

There are numerous things and traits to look for when seeking out a prominent divorce attorney, but the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder recommends that you especially focus on these factors when evaluating who is and who isn’t a proven Tulsa divorce lawyer.

What Experiences do they have?

Obviously, this is an important attribute for any good attorney to possess, but you should not just measure experience in years. You also should be strongly considering the quality of their experience. There are many different dynamics that come into play with family law in Oklahoma aside from divorce. You will be better off if you go with a lawyer that has proven to be an effective litigator in each of the following:

What Accolades and Awards have they garnered?

It could be argued that the legal industry is one, if not the most competitive out there. Litigation in it of itself is based on winning and losing, and there are numerous publications and associations within the legal realm that evaluate and rate attorneys based on criteria that includes peer and client reviews.

One such rating that any Tulsa divorce lawyer seeks to receive is the AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. Martindale-Hubbell describes this as, “a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.”

If a firm has one such lawyer, they are considered good. If a firm has three attorneys that are AV-rated, they are a firm that clearly stands out in the industry. The highly-reputable publication of U.S. News & World Report also compiles a yearly list of Best Law Firms that is an esteemed honor to make.

Individually speaking, there arguably is no greater honor than to be recognized by Super Lawyers®, which holds considerable weight in the legal industry. Best Lawyers also recognizes both firms and lawyers, and is thought of by many to be the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. If a Tulsa divorce lawyer or Tulsa family law firm has received any or several of these accolades than you have put yourself in a much better position to come out of a high-stakes divorce in good standing.

Top Tulsa divorce lawyer

How well known is the Tulsa Divorce Lawyer?

When looking for a good Tulsa divorce lawyer, you want someone that not only is respected and well-known by his or her peers; you also want an attorney that has become well known in the community. This could come in the form of newspaper or magazine articles. If they are being featured in multiple publications, chances are they are viewed as not only credible, but also as an authority figure in Oklahoma family law.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

If you are about to go through a highly-contested divorce, you are going to need to go with an experienced, accomplished and well-known Tulsa divorce lawyer.

For 50 years and counting, the elite Tulsa law firm of Fry & Elder has been synonymous with Oklahoma family law excellence. The firm has been named to the exclusive Best Law Firms list every year since 2014.

The firm features a decorated and accomplished team of attorneys who include:

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an established and acclaimed Tulsa divorce lawyer.

Why Hiring a Proven Tulsa Divorce Attorney is a Big Priority

There obviously is nothing wrong with wanting to save money, but if you find yourself about to go through a divorce, the last thing you are going to want to do is represent yourself during the legal process. You are going to want to hire an experienced and skilled Tulsa divorce attorney.

Tulsa guardianship attorney

While we most certainly would prefer you to retain a Tulsa divorce lawyer from the family law firm of Fry & Elder, the most important thing for you to do without question if you are going through a divorce would be to just take that all-important step of hiring a Tulsa divorce attorney.

Perhaps you are asking yourself why this is such a necessary step. Well, here are a few reasons why hiring a Tulsa divorce attorney is the smart move to make.

A Tulsa Divorce Attorney Can Offer Advice and Options that you might have not even known were out there

An experienced divorce lawyer will better be able to assess your situation and likely know what your chances would be should you take your case to court. This mostly stems from the fact that they will be able to compare your potential case with others they have tried and how judges have previously ruled in cases similar to your situation.

An experienced family law attorney also will be able to navigate an appropriate settlement for you. If your ex-spouse is making a proposal, your lawyer will be able to clearly tell you whether or not you should settle.

A Tulsa Divorce Attorney will be an Objective Ally during what is Likely to be a Stressful and Emotional Time for You

The fact of the matter is, going through a divorce is often one of the most emotional experiences a person can go through. You are going to likely encounter and experience a lot of emotions that range from anger to sadness.

When one is in an emotional state, it is often hard for that person to look at things clearly and objectively. This is where a proven and accomplished Tulsa divorce lawyer comes in to play.

He or she will have your best interests in mind and be able to better keep your emotions in check while serving as a confidant and still remaining an objective third party.

A Tulsa Divorce Attorney Can Take Care of all the ins-and-outs associated with family court and matrimonial law

Unless you have graduated from law school, you likely will not be familiar with the ins-and-outs of the legal system both in and out of the courtroom. While you may think a judge would be understandable to you if you represented yourself, you will still be held to the same standards as a practicing and licensed attorney.

Judges are fair and balanced, but if you are unaware of how to proceed or do not have the proper documents with you, chances are good that you will end up testing the judge’s patience, which could end up making him or her less sympathetic to your cause. An experienced and competent Tulsa divorce attorney will have a clear understanding of the law and the ins-and-outs of all the legal formalities.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

As one of the most established and decorated Tulsa family law firms, the attorneys at Fry & Elder are committed to giving you the best legal representation possible. The Tulsa law firm made the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms every since 2014.

Our acclaimed lineup of attorneys include the following:

Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an elite Tulsa divorce attorney.   

Rivas adds new element to Tulsa Family Law Firm

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder continues to grow, and newly-hired attorney Lorena Rivas figures to have a big hand in the firm’s expansion. As the firm’s newest attorney, Lorena brings a unique and dynamic skill set to Fry & Elder. In addition to practicing Oklahoma family law, Lorena’s practice will focus on immigration law in Oklahoma.

“I got into family law because of my background in immigration law,” Rivas said. “If you’re practicing immigration law, you’re going to be dealing a lot with family law.”

As the proud daughter of two Mexican nationals, Lorena has a personal connection with immigration law, which she fully embraces.

“I’m a Mexican-American,” Rivas said. “Immigration law is something that is constantly hitting my life, whether it be family members, friends or my clients. In law school, I initially thought I wouldn’t go into immigration law, but I started thinking about it more, and felt like I could make a bigger impact in that area.”

Lorena began making an immediate impact during law school at the University of Tulsa. She successfully prevented a Haitian national from being returned to Haiti, in terrible conditions due to an earthquake and hurricane, and she helped a mother and her two children remain in the United States after being victims of domestic and sexual abuse in Mexico.

A member of both the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Hispanic National Bar Association, Lorena had been in private practice the past three years before joining Fry & Elder. She said the Tulsa family law firm was appealing to her for multiple reasons.

“The thing that really captured my attention was how skilled they were in litigation,” Rivas said. “I’m glad to be part of a team that’s doing good stuff. Hopefully, I will be able to help the firm reach out to a diverse population that maybe hasn’t had a lot of exposure to a real strong litigation firm.”

With Lorena now on board, Fry & Elder now has seven highly skilled and diverse attorneys.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

The legacy of excellence at Fry & Elder has roots that date all the way back to 1932 when C. Lawrence Elder helped set the wheels in motion for Fry & Elder to become an established and recognized Tulsa family law firm. Over the years, Fry & Elder has garnered numerous accolades and honors.

The firm was named to the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Additionally, Robert  G “Hap” Fry Jr. further validated himself as  one of the premier Tulsa Divorce Lawyers when he was honored as Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa 2016 by Best Lawyers®.  Fellow Fry & Elder attorneys M. Shane Henry, T. Luke Barteaux and Aaron D. Bundy have each received SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™ accolades. Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with a skilled and experienced attorney from an elite Tulsa family law firm.

 

Tulsa Divorce Lawyers Offer Post-Divorce Advice

Tulsa Divorce Lawyers

Oklahoma Family Lawyers, sitting from left to right, James R. Elder, Aaron D. Bundy, M. Shane Henry, Luke Barteaux and Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.

When is it a good time to introduce my new partner or significant other to my children? If you have gone through a divorce and pondered this question, rest assured that you are not alone. In fact, it might be one of the more common questions the Tulsa divorce lawyers at Fry & Elder get asked.

While it may take a shorter amount of time for some, and a longer amount of time for others, most everyone who has  been through a divorce is optimistic that they will again find a significant other. Consider that to be healthy and refreshing. But, the fact of the matter is, no matter how excited you are to have a rekindled your romantic side, you must be considerate of others – specifically your children.

The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder encourages and recommends you to factor in the following items when you start considering the notion of introducing your new romantic interest to your children.

Has enough time gone by?

First and foremost, children need to time to adjust to their parents’ divorce. Just how much time varies from child to child and often depends on other factors like their age, but a safe bet is that they will need at least a year or two to get over their emotions, anger and sadness. Their adjustment to your divorce could become more difficult if you introduce them to someone you are dating too quickly or at the wrong time.

How will your children view your new romantic interest?

Chances are, they might not view her or him in the same light you do. That’s not to say they won’t develop a solid and respectful relationship with your new love, but they might initially view him or her as a rival and not have positive feelings about this person.

What else should you take into consideration?

One of the biggest things would be to provide constant and continued reassurance that in no way has your love for them diminished or wavered in any capacity. You need to convey and tell them that they are an even bigger part of your life now than ever before, and that you have plenty of love to go around. You also would be wise to tell them that you encourage their feedback and ideas about when and how they should meet your new partner for the first time.

Experience the Fry & Elder difference

For over 40 years, Fry & Elder has been one of the most dynamic and forward thinking Tulsa Family Law firms. U.S News & World Report named the firm to its exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Acclaimed Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry was honored as Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa 2016 by Best Lawyers®. Fellow Tulsa divorce lawyers M. Shane Henery, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux have each garnered SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™ accolades. If you are in need of assistance with or have any questions about Tulsa family law, contact the Tulsa divorce lawyers of Fry & Elder today.

Tulsa Divorce Lawyers Present at Trial Skills Seminar

Tulsa Divorce Lawyers

Oklahoma Family Lawyers, sitting from left to right, James R. Elder, Aaron D. Bundy, M. Shane Henry, Luke Barteaux and Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.

After being spotlighted in multiple articles by the Tulsa World and Tulsa Business & Legal News for their speaking prowess at Trial Skills Presentations, the attorneys from the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder were back on the speaking circuit again.

Tulsa divorce lawyers and SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™ M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux spoke at a recent CLE Presentation put on by the Oklahoma Bar Association titled “The Basics and Not So Basics of Family Law.”

Barteaux, a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association 2015-2016 Leadership Academy, served as the Program Planner and Moderator. The presentation touched on a number of Oklahoma family law issues that included: Trial Evidence, Speaking Objections and Trial Tactics. The overall focus of the presentation was on Trial Skills.

AV-rated Fry & Elder trial lawyers Bundy and Henry each spoke at the seminar, and their commitment to professional development and training has been well documented. Both have been featured in the Tulsa Business & Legal News. Click HERE and HERE to read the articles on Bundy and Henry.

“It was a really good and engaging seminar,” Henry said. “Over 50 lawyers attended, and I think everyone came away a little more knowledgeable and comfortable about trial tactics and skills they could incorporate in in the courtroom. These seminars are really great tools for giving attorneys ideas and a forum on how to better present a case.”

As trial lawyers for one of the more highly–regarded and reputable family law firms in Tulsa, Bundy and Henry offer a variety of informative, engaging and entertaining Trial Skills Presentations. Together, they present and teach to groups of paralegals, lawyers, and judges throughout the State of Oklahoma and beyond. Both are graduates of the graduates of the National Family Law Trial Institute, and faculty members at the OBA Family Law Section’s annual Trial Advocacy Institute. Click HERE to learn more about the Trial Skills Presentations that Bundy and Henry present.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

The legacy of excellence at Fry & Elder dates back all the way to 1932 when C. Lawrence Elder helped set the wheels in motion for Fry & Elder becoming one of the most established and recognized law firms in Tulsa. Over the years, Fry & Elder has garnered numerous accolades and honors. The firm was named to the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Additionally, Robert  G “Hap” Fry Jr. further validated himself as  one of the premier Tulsa Divorce Lawyers when he was honored as Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa 2016 by Best Lawyers®. If you are in need of legal counsel or have any question in regards to family law, criminal law, probate or personal injury law in Oklahoma, Contact Fry & Elder today.

Egan Becomes First Female Attorney at Tulsa Family Law Firm

Before 2010, the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder had just two attorneys on staff, but in five short years the firm has tripled in size to where it now has six lawyers on staff. Kathleen M. Egan is the newest addition to the legal team. She recently began working at Fry & Elder as an associate attorney, and, in doing so, has become the first female attorney to ever work for the highly-reputable Tulsa law firm.

“I think the firm knew it was time to bring in a woman,” Egan said. “They are growing and are taking on more clients and cases. I think that it sometimes helps to have that (female) perspective because you know what they (female clients) are going through and can sometimes lend an ear a little easier.”

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

While the firm now takes on personal injury and criminal law cases, Fry & Elder is still considered to be an elite Tulsa family law firm, and Egan should only enhance the firm’s reputation in the legal realm of family law. She brings in over eight years of family law experience through her work on many high-asset family law cases and also has experience handling high stakes personal-injury cases.

Not only is Egan the first female attorney at Fry & Elder, she is the first lawyer at the Tulsa family law firm who is licensed to practice law in three states. In addition to being able to practice law in Oklahoma, Egan also can practice law in New York and Connecticut.

After graduating with her Juris Doctorate from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in Central Islip , N.Y., Egan work for multiple New York based law firms – one of which was also a high-profile family law firm.

Originally from Tulsa, she moved back to the area in 2014 and spent one year working for a local firm before joining Fry & Elder.

“I’m really impressed with the intensity and the desire to get better that I see out of the attorneys here,” Egan said. “I like working with the best and learning from them. I wanted to get back into family law, and I wanted to work with the people at the top of their game.”

EXPERIENCE THE FRY & ELDER DIFFERENCE

As one of the most established and decorated Tulsa family law firms, the attorneys at Fry & Elder are committed to giving you the best legal representation possible. The Tulsa law firm made the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015.

Renowned Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. was recently honored by the esteemed publication Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016. Fellow Fry & Elder trial lawyers M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and Luke Barteaux also have been selected as SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™. If you  have any legal concerns or questions, contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an elite attorney.   

Fry, sidekick Badger subject of a newspaper feature story

Oklahoma Family Law Firm

Tulsa Family Law Firm Fry & Elder

Longevity, professionalism and expertise have long been the calling card of accomplished Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry. These attributes have garnered Fry significant accolades and attention throughout his career and over the past few weeks.

Fry, who helped launch the Tulsa Family Law Firm of Fry & Elder, was selected by Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016. Even more recently, Fry and his sidekick and Aussiedoodle named Badger were the subject of a cover story run by the Tulsa Business & Legal News. The article, which you can READ HERE, was written by Ralph Schafer and was the lead story on the publication’s website for multiple days.

It provides an in-depth look at Fry’s decorated career as a Tulsa divorce lawyer in which he began as an assistant public defender, making $300 per month before going into private practice. Today, Fry & Elder is not only considered one of the premier family law firms in Tulsa, but in the United States. The firm received validation of that when it was named to the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015.

Best Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.

The firm had just two attorneys in 2009, but has since more than tripled its growth and now has seven lawyers skilled in a variety of legal practices including family law, criminal law, personal injury law and probates. Fry & Elder will be moving from its present Tulsa location of 906 S. Cheyenne Avenue to a new state of the art facility at 1630 S. Main Street in October that will appropriately be named the Robert G Fry Jr. Center for Trial Studies.

Fry is the fourth Fry & Elder lawyer to be spotlighted by the Tulsa Business & Legal News since May. Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™  and fellow firm attorneys M. Shane Henry, Luke Barteaux and Aaron D. Bundy also were featured by the publication, which is a part of the Tulsa World. Should you have any questions or concerns about family law, personal injury, criminal law or probates in Oklahoma, contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an established and proven trial lawyer.

 

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer offers back-to-school tips for parents

Best Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.

The school year has started, which can often mean added stress for divorced or recently separated couples. The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder realizes this and wishes to provide a few tips on how you can better help ensure that your ex and you are on the same page and are cordial when dealing with your child’s school and extra-curricular activities schedule.

Major in major and minor in minor

Simply put: Renowned Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry recommends that divorces couples focus their time and conversations on the most important issues and less time on the petty or minor issues. Obviously, some of the major issues would be to coordinate to-and-from school transportation from school and extra-curricular activities. Something that might be considered low priority would be to argue over your child being returned 5 minutes late. These things happen, and you would not want to be subjected to a qualm over this if you were running a little behind.

Be flexible

Chances are, opportunities will arise last minute for your child where they are invited to a sleep over or to go to a game. The same could happen to your ex and you. Remember that giving, taking and being understanding will get you a lot farther than being inflexible and adhering to an uncompromising strict schedule. It is always best to put the child’s best interests first, which sometimes includes allowing them to participate in unforeseen activities.

Work together

Chances are you both want to see your child flourish and excel in school, which means you will equally be invested in working and communicating with your child’s teachers and coaches. Make sure all parties are on the same page, as it will better establish the best results and lines of communications.

Experience the Fry & Elder difference

As an accomplished and decorated Tulsa divorce lawyer, Robert G “Hap” Fry has been considered an authority figure in the realm of family law in Oklahoma. He was recently honored by the esteemed publication Best Lawyers® as its Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016. Fellow Fry & Elder trial lawyers M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and Luke Barteaux also have been selected as SuperLawyers® Rising Stars™.  The firm additionally made the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Should you have any questions about family law, personal injury or criminal law matters in Oklahoma, Contact Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation.

Same Sex Couples Should Prepare for the Future

Oklahoma Family Law Firm

Tulsa Family Law Firm Fry & Elder

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that same-sex marriage is now legal throughout the country, the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder congratulates those couples who are now able to make a commitment to each other. At the same time, as Tulsa divorce lawyers, we also think those couples who are planning on marrying or are married also consider the potential ramifications should their marriage not work out.  The financial implications that could come about from a divorce is something that all couples should factor in and think about at some point before making a legal commitment. Fry & Elder recommends that any same-sex couple in Oklahoma that is seriously considering getting married sign premarital agreement.

Why a premarital agreement

The fact of the matter is, by signing prenuptial and post-nuptial agreement, same-sex couples will better ensure that their best interests, assets and financial issues are taken care of should the relationship come to a close. These agreements do a variety of things, including provide instruction and guidance on what assets the couple should divide if they separate and what type of financial support they plan to commit to one another.  When assets and beneficiaries are not formally designated, gray areas could emerge. By signing a premarital agreement, same-sex couples in Oklahoma are in much better position to control their financial planning.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

While same-sex marriage and same-sex divorce are new frontiers in Oklahoma and elsewhere, the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder has always been proactive in staying ahead of the curve in family law dynamics throughout Oklahoma. Fry & Elder was named to esteemed U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert  G “Hap” Fry Jr. has long been recognized as one of the leading divorce lawyers in Tulsa. In fact, Fry was recognized as the 2016 Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa by the esteemed Best Lawyers® publication. Fellow Fry & Elder lawyers M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux have each garnered SuperLawyers® Rising Star™ accolades and have been recognized for their commitment to leadership in the legal industry.

Tulsa family law firm comments on Ashley Madison hack

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

Fry & Elder is your Oklahoma Family Law Firm

Ashley Madison is now a household name due to a recent attack on the website. For those who don’t know, Ashley Madison is a dating website that markets itself to people who are married or in a committed relationship. Numerous media outlets have reported that the hack unveiled personal information like email address and account details of approximately 32 million members of the site. The Tulsa Family Law Firm of Fry & Elder is well aware of the potential fallout the hack could have on marriages and families. Here are a few answers to some common questions about the Ashley Madison hack that Oklahoma residents might have.

What are the grounds for divorce in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma typically is regarded as a no-fault state, meaning that nearly every divorce that is filed in court is based on no-fault bases ground or incompatibility. In layman’s terms, this means that the parties have grown apart and they have differences that cannot be reconciled. However, in Oklahoma, there also are occasions in which a divorce can be requested on fault-based grounds, which does include adultery, fraud, extreme cruelty, felony conviction and other items that are found in Oklahoma Statutes – Title 43 – Sections 101.

Would Spousal Engagement on the Ashley Madison Website Have Any Ramifications in Court?

This is difficult to answer because all circumstances are different, but possibly. There is expenditure not in furtherance of joint marital goals in Oklahoma. For instance, if a spouse had an encounter through the Ashley Madison website and took a weekend trip with a participating partner, this would not be in accordance with furtherance of joint marital goals in Oklahoma based on finances and other things. If a couple were to go through a divorce in Tulsa, the encounter could have an impact on how assets are divided. If it were further proven that the encounter or any encounters neglected any of the couple’s children in any way, the spouse could make a strong argument against join custody being employed and that they should receive more than 50 percent of the assets and property value.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

If your marriage has been affected by the Ashley Madison hack or if you have any additional questions about divorce and child custody in Oklahoma, contact the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder immediately. Our firm was named to the U.S. News & World Report’s exclusive list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Acclaimed Tulsa divorce lawyer Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. also was named the 2016 Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa by the esteemed Best Lawyers® publication, while firm attorneys M. Shane Henry, Aaron D. Bundy and T. Luke Barteaux have each garnered SuperLawyers® Rising Star™ accolades.

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