Vinita Child Custody Lawyer

A child custody determination can be an extremely difficult experience in many ways. Whether you need to resolve custody as part of your divorce case in the Craig County District Court or you are facing a standalone child custody dispute, it is crucial to have experienced legal counsel you can trust on your side. A Vinita child custody lawyer will be an invaluable asset in this situation, and it’s important to find an attorney you can trust as soon as possible.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Child Custody Cases in Vinita, OK

The attorneys at Bundy have years of experience helping clients in Vinita and throughout Craig County with a wide range of difficult family court cases, including child custody cases. If you are divorcing and have children, or if you are an unmarried parent splitting from your coparent, a child custody order is crucial for establishing parental rights and responsibilities. We can help you understand this process and prepare for the difficult proceedings ahead of you.

In every child custody case, there are two main elements that must be decided: 

1. Legal custody. This is the right to make important decisions for a child. Parents seeking legal custody must demonstrate that they can make these decisions focusing on the child’s best interests. Any parent who has a history of violent crime, substance abuse, or severe mental health disorders is unlikely to gain significant legal custody.
2. Physical custody. This will determine the child’s residence and the amount of time they spend with each parent. Generally, family court judges in the Craig County District Court aim to provide a child with as much access to both parents as possible. However, recent data shows that in Oklahoma, fathers only get about 22.4% of parenting time.

In a child custody determination, a parent seeking custody must be able to prove that they possess the ability to handle their child’s daily needs, provide their child with a safe environment, and make decisions for the child with their best interests in mind.

It is natural for a parent to want as much custody time as possible, and the family court system in Oklahoma generally aims to arrange joint custody whenever possible. However, many of these arrangements include an uneven split of physical custody, even when legal custody is fully shared. Both parents may have equal say on important decisions for their child, but one parent may have greater physical custody due to their work schedule and other factors.

How Your Vinita Child Custody Lawyer Can Help

Whether your child custody case is part of a larger divorce case or a standalone family court matter, you need experienced legal counsel on your side. Your attorney can help you make informed and confident decisions, develop your argument for the parental rights and custody terms you hope to secure, and address any unexpected complications that arise during your case.

Your child custody case will also entail a child support order. Oklahoma law requires both of a child’s parents to equally contribute to the financial cost of raising the child. The parent with greater physical custody is typically assumed to cover their portion by handling the child’s basic needs on a regular basis, and the noncustodial parent will be required to pay child support to cover their portion.

Your Vinita child custody attorney at Bundy can help with every aspect of your child custody case. Our team has an extensive record of handling all types of custody cases in Oklahoma, and we will put this experience to work on your behalf. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how a Vinita child custody attorney can assist you.

FAQs

How Can a Parent Lose Custody in Oklahoma?

A parent could lose custody in Oklahoma if they are deemed unfit for parental responsibilities. This could be in response to committing a serious crime, committing any type of domestic violence or child abuse, or being diagnosed with a severe substance abuse disorder or mental illness. If a parent has their parental rights involuntarily terminated in Oklahoma, it is very difficult for them to ever regain any significant custody rights in the future.

Can You Change a Child Custody Order in Oklahoma?

Yes, you can change a child custody order in Oklahoma by filing a petition to modify the order. You must provide a clear explanation as to why the requested change is both necessary and reasonable, and you must be prepared to face a counterargument from your coparent. Your Vinita child custody attorney can help you prepare your petition and guide you through the hearing.

What Happens if a Parent Violates a Child Custody Order in Oklahoma?

If a parent violates a child custody order in Oklahoma, they could face various penalties depending on the nature and severity of the violation. The court may order compensatory custody time to the other parent, or the parent who violated the order could lose their custody rights and face criminal charges. Willful violation of a custody order can lead to contempt of court, fines, and civil penalties.

Why Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer in Vinita?

You should hire a child custody lawyer in Vinita to have a better chance of securing the custody terms you hope to secure. This will be an inherently emotional case in several ways, and you need an attorney you can trust to not only help you make a strong case for the custody order you hope to obtain, but also to address any unexpected complications that arise as this case unfolds.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?

The cost to hire a child custody lawyer will usually depend on how much time your lawyer spends handling your case. Most Oklahoma family law attorneys charge an hourly rate and track their time spent on a case. Bundy will carefully review our billing policy with you so you know what to expect when it comes to your legal expenses.

Schedule a Consultation with a Vinita, OK Child Custody Lawyer

The attorneys at Bundy have the skills and experience necessary for handling the most challenging child custody cases in Oklahoma. Whether you are resolving child custody as an unmarried parent or as part of your divorce, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Vinita child custody lawyer.