Tulsa Family Law Firm Archives - Page 5 of 5

Jan 6

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer Debunks Child Support Myths (Part 1)

When it comes to child support, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder hopes to provide you with a better understanding of how child support in Oklahoma typically works by debunking a couple of child support myths associated with child support as told by an accomplished and reputable Tulsa Divorce Lawyer.

Child Support Myth #1: I will not be able to afford child support

First and foremost, child support is not some random number that gets pulled and thrown out. It is based on a number of factors that include monthly income, interest derived from investments, the time you spend with your kids and other additional factors. Since child support is primarily based on income, you will not be required to pay more than you make. Child support payments can also be adjusted should you lose your job or experience other significant changes in your financial situation.

Child Support Myth #2: Child support is for women only, and they do not spend it on kids

By and large, child support payments are generally made to the parent, which has primary custody, for their expenses. Typically, these expenses consist of clothing, health insurance and children’s school and after school activities’ costs. The majority of time, the child support number is based on the child’s expenses.

Child support myths are more common than one may initially think. Should you have any additional questions about child support in Oklahoma or any additional inquiries in regards to family law, the family law offices of Fry & Elder urge you to call today and set up a personal consultation with an experienced and accomplished Tulsa Divorce Lawyer.

Dec 27

More Insight on Joint Child Custody by Skilled Tulsa Divorce Attorneys

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.

As a follow up to a blog earlier this month, here are a few more tips from the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder on how to make joint child custody in Oklahoma and other parts in the country work in your favor.

Be flexible and willing to adjust

While a judge might have ruled in your favor or against your favor, it is very important for you to understand and realize that custody arrangements are not designed to be set in stone. They can and should easily change, especially when there are new dynamics or developments that happen from within a family. As your child grows and develops, so might your custody arrangement. This might mean changing visitation days around. It is important that you are willing to have an open mind when involved in joint child custody.

Consider age

There is nothing wrong with adhering to a schedule, but as your child gets older and more emotionally mature, it might be wise to think about modifying the visitation schedule to better accommodate their needs. Research has indicated that it can be difficult for a younger child to be away from one parent for a long period of time, which might mean that shorter stays with each parent could be more beneficial. Once your child gets older and starts taking on a busier schedule, it might be wise to think about alternating weeks.

As always, the Tulsa divorce attorneys at Fry & Elder recommend that you put your child’s best interests first, be open minded and carefully pick your battles when prompted. Should you have any other additional questions or concerns, please call are office and ask to speak with one of our experienced Tulsa divorce attorneys at Fry & Elder today.

Dec 11

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer Offers Insight on Joint Child Custody

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.

As time marches on, more and more parents and experts are recognizing the value of shared parenting between divorced couples. The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder is well aware of the rising trend that is joint child custody, which is why we are here to offer a few tips on how to have a successful joint custody relationship with your ex. Simply put: joint custody is something that can be very beneficial to all parties involved, but it also takes work, as any great Tulsa Divorce Lawyer will tell you.

Be realistic

While you might have the best intentions in mind, all too often a common problem during custody disputes is for one or both parents to ask for too much custodial time. This usually coincides with the fact that parents want to get as much time as possible with their child out of fear that there is a chance that they might be losing them. The truth of the matter is that quality always trumps quantity when it comes to spending time with your child. The last thing you want to do is overextend yourself so far that you don’t have the necessary energy that your child deserves.

Watch your tongue

It should go without saying that if you really are going to try and make joint custody work with your ex then you absolutely need to make it a priority not to talk badly about your ex. Be prepared for trouble and potential conflicts down the road should you choose to badmouth your ex in front of your child. Your child loves the other parent just like he or she loves you. With that in mind, it is best to keep any negative thoughts to yourself.

Cut your ex some slack

Even though your former spouse may have cheated on you, been emotionally distant or done something else undesirable, it is important for you to remember that they still have the best intentions for your and their child. While your marriage might not have worked out, there still is a good chance that your parenting arrangement can still succeed.

As with anything, there stands a chance that the joint child custody agreement might not work out. If you think this is the case, we encourage you to call the family law firm of Fry & Elder today to set up a personal consultation with an established and experienced Tulsa Divorce Lawyer and take the necessary first step to get your problems resolved.

Nov 30

Same Sex Marriage can Lead to Same Sex Divorce in Oklahoma

Tulsa Family Law Firm Fry & Elder

Marriage is different today. Sweeping laws in over 30 states, Oklahoma included, that now allow same sex marriage mean more couples than ever before can get married. It also means more couples than ever before can also split up and get divorced. As with any marriage, problems and disagreements can arise. When this happens, divorce can give a couple a clearer path than they might otherwise have.

What Should You Do?

The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder recognizes the right for same sex couples to get both married and divorced. Divorce laws were created to ensure a fair split of all assets of the union, including allowances for the emotional support of a non-working partner, but not all divorces are created equal – least of all courtroom battles – which is why it would be in your best interest to retain a skilled and battle-tested Tulsa Divorce Lawyer.

Unlike opposite-sex marriage, same sex marriage laws are complicated because federal and state laws often differ. Furthermore, some states allow same-sex couples to get married even if they are not residents. This can make getting a same sex divorce in Oklahoma tricky because other states might have residency requirements to get divorced. Essentially, you can’t get a divorce in a state that does not recognize marriage, and you also can’t get divorced in a state where you are not a resident.

Because same-sex marriage laws still are in its infancy, most of the data in regards to same-sex divorce rates is not very developed. Same-sex marriage in Oklahoma has only been legal since October of this year. That said, data suggests that divorce rate among same-sex couples will rise toward the rate of heterosexuals.

Experience the Fry & Elder Difference

Whether you are going through a divorce, child custody issue or both, the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder has the experience and skill in place to help you get through the process. 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.

Nov 27

Helpful Tips for Getting Through a Holiday Divorce

Tulsa Family Law Firm Fry & Elder

They aren’t the “most wonderful time of the year” for everyone. If you are going through a holiday divorce or separation, the holidays can’t end soon enough. Chances are they feel like a cruel joke, yet they are in full swing so here are few tips to help you get through the holiday season from the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder.

It is OK to feel emotional

Chances are, you had some good times during the holidays with your ex. If that is indeed the case, you should be prepared to feel wide range of emotions that include: anger, resentment, depression, sadness and jealousy. The fact of the matter is, you need to allow yourself to have those emotions and be OK with it. There is nothing wrong with remembering the good times and having both fondness and sadness.

Put others first

Sometimes the key to getting through difficult times is to focus on others. When you really think about it, the holidays are about being thankful, giving back and about sharing. There is no shortage of people that you can boost up during the holiday season. Try and make the holidays not about you. One great way to do this is to volunteer a little of your time somewhere. Helping others can often help get your mind off your own troubles.

Keep old traditions alive and also begin some new traditions

As much are you might want things to change, it is important to keep old traditions alive, particularly if you have children. Children feel secure with traditions and routine, so it would be wise to sit down and talk with your kids about what they might like to change and what they might like to keep the same. You will feel much better about the holiday season after you have done it.

Keep things in perspective

The last thing you need to do is go overboard and buy your kids everything they want because you want to make up for the divorce and feel guilty. Try and provide something better – time and attention. You need to remember that you are not the only person going through a divorce through the holiday season, and that there are many other people out there who are enduring far more tragedy during this time of year. As bad as things are, chances are you have some pretty good things in place like family, friends, health and job security.