Tulsa Divorce Lawyer

Ending a marriage can be difficult in many ways, and if you are preparing for this process, it is vital to speak with a Tulsa divorce lawyer at Bundy as quickly as possible. You could encounter a host of challenges you may not be able to overcome on your own, and the right attorney can help you make more informed decisions so you can approach divorce proceedings with confidence.

If your once-happy marriage has been tarnished by betrayals, broken promises, violations of trust, or a lack of mutual respect, you may find yourself seriously considering divorce. However, even when you’re certain that ending your marriage is the right thing to do, it’s not uncommon to be wary of the complex legal divorce process, complicated emotions, and life-changing decisions on the horizon. Fortunately, you don’t have to face these challenges on your own.

Bundy Helps People Navigate Complex Family Transitions

Our legal team of trained and highly experienced divorce lawyers serving Tulsa have successfully guided countless clients through the dissolution of their marriages and helped them achieve their legal goals in the process. We may be able to do the same for you. We understand that the decision to file for divorce is never an easy one, and we are here to provide you with the resources and support you need to make the process as stress-free as possible.

If you’re going through a divorce, our divorce lawyers in Tulsa are here to help. Whether you are filing for divorce or responding to your spouse’s divorce petition, time is a crucial consideration. You need to work quickly to consult an attorney and start gathering the materials you need for your case. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Oklahoma Divorce Basics

Oklahoma has a divorce rate of 5.88 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the most divorce-prone states in the country. Unfortunately, the fact that there are so many divorces in the Sooner State does not mean that it’s easy to dissolve a marriage.

Divorce laws can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating. Divorce is a difficult process and can be a stressful and emotional time for all parties involved. We understand that this is a difficult time, and we are here to help you make the right decisions for your family.

If you’re planning to end your marriage, we have summarized below some of what you need to know.

What To Expect When Hiring A Tulsa, OK Divorce Lawyer

If you are considering filing for divorce, it is important to understand the process and what to look for in an attorney. The first step in the divorce process is to file a petition with the court. Generally, the petition is filed with the court in a county where either spouse lives. For example, if both spouses reside in Tulsa County, the petition generally must be filed in the Tulsa County District Court. If one spouse lives in Benton County and the other lives in Sebastian County, then either spouse may elect to file in either county.

Once the petition is filed, the other spouse must be served with a copy of the petition and a summons. Service of process must be done either through the sheriff’s office or through a process server. After the other spouse is served, they have a limited time period in which to file a response with the court.

The Importance of Legal Support

Most attorneys can describe this process. Few are trial lawyers who know how to take a case all the way, even when the other side is a narcissist, rapidly changes lawyers, or engages in many other types of obstructive behaviors designed to delay justice. We are trial lawyers.

Benefits of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer

If you’re anticipating a contested divorce or have a complex situation on your hands, you must hire a divorce lawyer to assist you with your case. Even if your case is uncontested and relatively simple, hiring an attorney can take some of the stress off you during a difficult time and make sure that your rights and interests are protected.

How To Get A Divorce In Oklahoma

Filing for divorce in Oklahoma requires you or your spouse to have been a resident — or been stationed at a military base in the state — for a minimum time period. Additionally, you must have resided in the county where you are filing for at least 30 days. Provided you meet these conditions, you can file for divorce.

What Are the Grounds For Divorce

Each state has different grounds for ending a marriage. The most frequently cited reason for divorce is incompatibility or irreconcilable differences. Each state has “fault” grounds which may be invoked in specific circumstances. Oklahoma Statutory Law Title 43, Chapter 1 cites 12 fault-based grounds for divorce. They are:

1. Incompatibility
2. Abandonment
3. Adultery
4. Extreme cruelty
5. Fraudulent contract
6. Habitual drunkenness
7. Gross neglect of duty
8. Impotency
9. Imprisonment
10. Pregnancy by another
11. Insanity
12. Divorce decree in another state

If you intend to file for a fault-based divorce, you should be prepared to provide evidence of the fault. Your Tulsa divorce attorney can help you gather the evidence required to prove that you have reason to divorce your spouse.

While it is easier to file for a no-fault divorce based on incompatibility, there are times when filing for a fault-based divorce is worth it. You may be able to use your spouse’s misconduct to influence the judge’s discretion regarding property division or alimony, or to satisfy requirements for a religious annulment. That said, you should be prepared for increased conflict if you file for a fault-based divorce.

How Does One File for Divorce in Tulsa, Oklahoma?

If you have decided to file for divorce, you will need to fill out the appropriate legal paperwork. Our office uses powerful document-generation software to create filing packets in just a few minutes. You will need to include information about both parties, such as names, addresses, and contact information. After the paperwork is filled out, it will need to be filed with the court, and a filing fee will need to be paid. Once the paperwork is filed, the court will set a hearing date. At the hearing, the judge will make a decision about the divorce.

How Does Division Of Marital Assets And Debts Work?

Oklahoma is an “equitable distribution” state, which means if you and your spouse can’t reach an agreement on your own, the court will step in and divide marital property and debts according to a wide range of factors, such as each spouse’s economic health and contributions to the marriage. The standard is not necessarily a neat 50-50 division, although that is generally the starting point for the division of assets and debts. A Tulsa asset division lawyer can help you navigate this process and advocate for a fair outcome based on your unique circumstances.

Waiting Periods

After filing, there may be a waiting period before your divorce can be finalized. Depending on the circumstances and location of your divorce case, you may be required to wait for a different amount of time or take special classes before your divorce can be finalized. This is particularly true for the divorcing parents of minor children.

Case Length

How long it takes to get a divorce depends heavily on the circumstances and parties involved. If there are no minor children, a divorce may be finalized quickly. However, most divorces are finalized in a matter of months, and litigation in highly contested divorce cases can take several years.

Issues Our Divorce Lawyers Resolve

Our well-regarded and well-versed divorce attorneys in Oklahoma can help you resolve a variety of family law matters related to your divorce, including:

• Marital property division
• Business and asset valuation
• Spousal support (alimony)
• Divorce mediation and settlements
• Premarital agreements
• Divorce appeals

There’s a lot riding on the outcome of your divorce case, and in many ways, your success hinges on your Tulsa family law attorney’s grasp of the relevant legal issues and skill — both at the negotiation table and in the courtroom.

Identification and Separation of Complex Assets

If you are part of a high-net-worth marriage, you’ll likely face greater challenges when it comes time to divide assets than the average Oklahoman. Not only does having more money increase the stakes, but some assets are inherently more complicated to manage in a divorce than others, often requiring additional handling. Complex assets requiring the help of a Tulsa divorce attorney to divide fairly can include:

• Business interests
• Retirement accounts
• Pension accounts
• Executive compensation
• Real estate
• Investment portfolios
• Cryptocurrency and other digital assets
• Intellectual property
• Valuable personal property

What a Tulsa, OK Divorce Lawyer Can Do

For market-sensitive assets, your lawyer can help you set an agreed-upon valuation date that makes sure the assets are divided fairly, given your official date of separation. If you must sell or transfer assets, your attorney can help you find a tax consultant who can mitigate the effects of capital gains taxes. While Oklahoma does not have a capital gains tax, you’ll still be responsible for paying federal taxes on any income from the sale or transfer of community property.

Not all assets can be easily divided. While it’s relatively simple to divide the money in a bank account along equitable lines, it’s more difficult to divide businesses, real estate, intellectual property, and other non-liquid assets. You may need to buy out your spouse or sell the asset and divide the profits.

Finally, if you’re married to a high-net-worth entrepreneur, executive, or other professional, you may be concerned about hidden assets. Spouses attempt to hide money, property, and other assets in a variety of ways to avoid fair division upon divorce. A forensic accountant can work with your attorney to trace funds and make sure 100% of the marital property is accounted for in your divorce.

FAQs

Why Should I Hire a Tulsa Divorce Lawyer?

You should hire a Tulsa divorce lawyer even if you think you are heading into an amicable divorce. It’s possible for many unexpected issues to arise that you will not be able to handle on your own. You could also encounter disputes that will require an attorney’s attention to resolve, and you do not want to enter divorce proceedings if your spouse has legal counsel and you do not.

How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Divorce in Tulsa?

How long it takes to finalize a divorce in Tulsa depends on multiple factors. It’s possible for some divorce cases to be resolved relatively quickly, while others may take a long time to complete. Contested divorces may be resolved in several ways, and your Tulsa divorce lawyer can explain the options you have for finalizing your divorce efficiently.

Does It Matter Who Files for Divorce in Tulsa?

It does not matter who files for divorce in Tulsa. Being the first to file does not make you appear as the victim in the eyes of the court, nor does it provide any type of legal advantage. It’s possible for one spouse to file a divorce petition to which the other will need to respond, and it is possible for both spouses to file a divorce petition jointly. If you are filing for divorce with cause, consult your attorney so you know how this could impact your proceedings.

Is It Possible to Modify a Standing Divorce Order in Tulsa?

Yes, it is possible to petition the court to modify a standing divorce order in Tulsa under certain conditions. If something has happened in your life that makes your current terms untenable or if another party has violated the terms of the order, these factors could form grounds for modification. A Tulsa modification lawyer can explain what you can expect in the modification process.

When Should I Hire a Tulsa Divorce Lawyer?

Ideally, you should hire a Tulsa divorce lawyer as soon as you have reached the decision to end your marriage or as soon as you have received divorce papers from your spouse. This will give your attorney plenty of time to compile the necessary documentation and prepare you for the proceedings ahead. Additionally, if you must respond to a divorce petition you have a limited time in which to do so.

Tap Our Skills For Your High-Conflict, High-Asset, or Contested Divorce

If you’re embroiled in a particularly contentious divorce — or expect to be — our family law lawyers can provide the prompt personal attention, sage advice, and results-focused legal representation you need and deserve. We can also connect you with high-quality, third-party resources like counselors, private investigators, business valuators, and forensic accountants, and work with you and those professionals to craft a cohesive plan to achieve your legal goals.

Our experienced Oklahoma divorce attorneys are here to answer any questions you may have. Contact Bundy today to schedule your consultation with an experienced team of Tulsa divorce lawyers who can guide you through the difficult case ahead of you with confidence.

Tulsa Divorce Lawyer – Client Testimonials

“Aaron Bundy is a miracle worker. He jumped on my case with urgency and truly genuinely wanted to help me as fast and efficiently as he could. He also spoke to another lawyer who is licensed in my state to help me with ongoing hearings here. I’ve never spoken to or worked with a lawyer with more care and dedication to what he does. I would absolutely recommend bundy to anyone in need of legal advice, legal representation, or any other legal needs. He truly saved me and was so determined to do it. He is extremely passionate about what he does!” – Grace J. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“My experience with the team at Bundy was nothing short of outstanding. Aaron handled my case with the utmost professionalism and care. Aaron is highly knowledgeable in family law and is very proactive. I highly recommend Aaron and his team to anyone seeking legal services.” – Gentry R. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Aaron Bundy is exceptional at what he does. He is extremely professional, incredibly honest, and very open with you throughout every step of the way. Aaron had great communication with me and went above and beyond in my case. I couldn’t recommend a better attorney.” – Stratton L. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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