Oklahoma City Same Sex Divorce Lawyer

Divorces are often difficult. There’s no reason to make your divorce any more stressful than it needs to be by working with an attorney who doesn’t support your rights. Hiring an Oklahoma City same sex divorce lawyer with experience working with the LGBTQ community will be a more pleasant experience.

Trust Bundy Law

The team here at Bundy Law supports all human rights. We believe that same-sex couples deserve the same respect and assistance that heterosexual couples receive during their divorce proceedings. Our experienced team includes legal professionals who focus on family law, including the only International Academy of Family Lawyers-certified attorney in Oklahoma. You can trust our Oklahoma City family law attorneys to provide you with comprehensive legal assistance.

Why Hire a Same Sex Divorce Lawyer?

There were 774,553 married same-sex couples in the United States in 2023. While Oklahoma does not top the charts for support for LGBTQ rights, 0.7% of all the marriages in Oklahoma involved same-sex couples in 2020, and married couples accounted for 56.3% of the same-sex couples living in the state.

Overall, the Sooner State has one of the highest divorce rates in the nation, at 20.7 divorces per 1,000 married women. If we assume these numbers hold true for same-sex couples, as well, that’s a lot of reasons to hire a same sex divorce lawyer. Your lawyer can help you with everything from filing the initial petition for the dissolution of your marriage to negotiating fair custody and property division agreements on your behalf.

Shared Challenges for Same-Sex Spouses

In most cases, same-sex spouses who plan to get divorced face the same set of issues that heterosexual couples face. They need to navigate:

• The division of marital property
• Child custody and visitation issues
• Child support
• Spousal support or alimony

These aspects of divorce all work the same way they would with a heterosexual couple. These potentially difficult issues can be resolved amicably in an uncontested divorce or by a judge in a contested divorce. Uncontested divorces are generally simpler and more affordable.

Unique Challenges for Same-Sex Couples

While the legal aspects of divorce are similar for heterosexual and homosexual couples, interacting with Oklahoma City divorce lawyers can be more challenging for same-sex divorcing spouses. Oklahoma is not known for its progressive views, and there are still many people living in the Sooner State who disagree with same-sex marriage. You deserve to work with a lawyer who will treat you and your spouse with respect.

There are some ways that same-sex divorce could potentially differ from heterosexual divorces:

• Marital property division. In Oklahoma, marital property is divided equitably, not on a 50/50 basis, and many judges consider factors such as the length of the marriage. Because same-sex marriage was not legalized here until 2015, this can impact how marital property is divided. Speak with your lawyer if you are concerned about this.
• Parental rights. Same-sex partners must ensure that parental rights are spelled out clearly in writing to avoid later issues with things like child custody and visitation agreements upon divorce. In Oklahoma, the court will always make custody decisions based on what’s in the child’s best interests.
• Spousal support. Since judges consider the length of marriage when determining whether a spouse should receive alimony, this can be a contentious issue for same-sex couples.

The fact that issues of parentage and duration of marriage can interfere with how the courts decide on important aspects of your divorce, such as child custody, spousal support, and property division, makes it even more important to work with a skilled Oklahoma City same sex divorce attorney. Your attorney can interpret the same sex divorce laws and explain how they might apply to your unique situation while providing you with representation throughout your case.

FAQs

What Is the Average Cost of a Divorce Attorney in Oklahoma?

There is no average cost of a divorce attorney in Oklahoma. Every case is different, including same-sex divorces. The most accurate way to estimate how much it will cost you to get a divorce is to contact an Oklahoma City same sex divorce attorney to schedule an initial consultation. After getting to know the particulars of the case, they should be able to give you an idea of what to expect.

Is Same-Sex Marriage Still Legal in Oklahoma?

Same-sex marriage is still legal in Oklahoma and all 50 United States. It has been legal since 2014, when a federal court struck down the state’s former constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Despite the fact that Oklahoma had previously refused to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages, they are now performed regularly within state borders.

Can My Spouse and I Use the Same Lawyer for a Divorce?

You and your spouse cannot use the same lawyer for a divorce because there is an inherent conflict of interest. Lawyers must be loyal to their clients, which means they can’t take on multiple clients with opposing financial goals. One attorney can draft paperwork for a completely uncontested divorce, but they can’t represent both of you in any kind of adversarial matter.

What Is a Spouse Entitled to in a Same-Sex Divorce in Oklahoma?

A spouse is entitled to an equitable share of the marital property in a same-sex divorce in Oklahoma. In most cases, that amounts to a 50/50 split. However, judges sometimes rule that a more unequal division of assets and debts is more equitable, giving one spouse more property than the other. Depending on their family and financial circumstances, spouses may also be eligible to receive child support and alimony.

Your Oklahoma City Same Sex Divorce Lawyer

If you’re looking for a same sex divorce lawyer in Oklahoma City who can provide thorough, respectful representation during this difficult time, don’t settle for just any law firm. Work with Bundy Law. Our team has handled numerous same sex divorce cases over the years in practice, and we’re happy to work with clients from the LGBTQ community to achieve their goals. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.