Oklahoma City Child Custody Appeals Attorney

As the parent of a child, you want to ensure that the custody decision reflects the best interests of that child. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and the court’s ruling may not reflect all the facts of your original custody case. Whether you are a custodial parent in Bricktown or a parent seeking visitation rights in Uptown, you need to hire an Oklahoma City child custody appeals & appellate attorney who can help you through the difficult appeals process.

Work With the Team at Bundy Law

For years, the team at Bundy Law has been coming alongside families throughout Oklahoma and working to ensure their case outcomes reflect the truth. Made up of three partners in their professional prime, Bundy Law is here for you no matter what.

We understand firsthand how cases are heard at the Oklahoma City division of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals at 1915 North Stiles Avenue, and we can leverage this experience to gain a competitive advantage in your case.

Two members of our Oklahoma City family lawyers–attorney Kathleen Egan and attorney Aaron Bundy–are both fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Mr. Bundy is Oklahoma’s only fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Each partner is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America, as well as the new 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers. Let us bring our award-winning counsel and representation to your appellate case.

Grounds for a Child Custody Appeal in Oklahoma City

The state of Oklahoma has a divorce rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents, with over 15,000 divorces filed in 2024 alone. Many of these divorce cases will involve couples who share minor children, and a decision regarding the custody of these children will need to be made. When a custody determination does not reflect reality, you may have certain grounds on which you can appeal the decision of the original trial court. These grounds include:

• The original judge overlooked or misread evidence regarding what would be in the best interest of the child.
• The trial court did not apply the legal standards governing child custody or visitation in Oklahoma correctly to your case.
• The original court ruled on findings that were not actually supported by any of the evidence made available in the case.
• The judge failed to take into consideration any of the child’s preferences, depending on their maturity and age.
• The judge did not correctly or properly weigh certain factors, such as the stability of each parent’s home, the physical and mental health of the parents, or the ability of each parent to care for their child when making their official ruling.

If you believe any of these factors were present in your original child custody case in Oklahoma City, then you may be able to seek an appeal. However, appeals are a complicated process and should only be attempted with the help of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney, which is why you need to reach out to Bundy Law as soon as possible.

Process for Appealing Child Custody Decisions

To appeal a child custody decision in Oklahoma City, a very strict process must be followed. At Bundy Law, our team is here to support you through every step, including:

• Determining the grounds of your appeal
• Filing the official Notice of Appeal
• Preparing the record on appeal
• Creating and filing the official appellate brief
• Presenting an oral argument for your side of the appeal
• Awaiting the appellate court’s final decision

FAQs

Is the Mother More Apt to Win Custody in Oklahoma?

While Oklahoma courts do not favor mothers over fathers in custody cases, recent data does show that around 70-80% of custodial parents are mothers. While judges no longer make custody decisions based on preconceived assumptions of gender, mothers tend to hold a more active role in the lives of their children, making them more apt to win custody.

What Will the Outcome of My Appeal Be?

Without first reviewing the details of your case, it is impossible to say what the outcome will be. However, in appellate cases in Oklahoma City, there are really only three possible outcomes that could occur. These include affirming the decision made by the original trial court, meaning the appeal was not successful, reversing the trial court’s original decision, meaning your appeal was successful, or remanding the case back to the original trial court.

How Long Will a Child Custody Appeal Take?

It can be difficult to offer an exact timeline as to how long a child custody appeal can take. This is because each appellate case is vastly different and will have various elements involved that can affect the timeline. These factors can include the availability of the appellate court as well as the complexity of the appeal itself.

What Factors Are Taken Into Consideration When Determining the Best Interest of the Child?

In an Oklahoma City appellate court, the judge will consider certain factors to determine what custody arrangement is in the best interests of the child. These factors include the desires of the child, the physical and emotional needs of the child, the parents’ abilities to care for their child, the stability of each parent’s home, and whether there is any history of domestic abuse or substance abuse.

Hire a Child Custody Appeals and Appellate Attorney Today

Navigating the difficulties of child custody appeals requires an experienced attorney who can guide you through every necessary step. Family conflicts are challenging, no matter their nature, and you need to hire a child custody appeals and appellate attorney who can provide the support you need. An attorney can provide the direction and legal support you need to be successful in your case.

Contact the team at Bundy Law today to learn more about our legal services and to schedule your initial appointment. We hope to be your legal partners at this difficult time and help you make the right decision.