What Are the Advantages of an Estate Plan in Oklahoma City, OK?

Creating an estate plan in Oklahoma City is not only for individuals with significant wealth. Any person who wants to ensure their wishes are carried out near the end of their life and after their death can benefit from an estate plan. An estate plan can simply be a legally enforceable will, but it can also include other documents such as a revocable or irrevocable trust, medical directives, and powers of attorney. A comprehensive estate plan can keep your loved ones from dealing with a long probate process and ensure those you want to benefit from your estate see those

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How to Recognize and Address Parental Alienation

A divorce or separation is never easy on children, and they can react in any number of ways. Some children may resent one or both parents for realistic reasons in the emotional turmoil caused by their parents separating. In some cases, a child’s reaction to divorce is caused by one parent. This situation is difficult for everyone in the family, and parents likely have a lot of conflicting emotions. Some separating parents have deeply negative feelings towards their co-parent, or conflicts in the divorce become negative feelings. There is nothing wrong with this, but parents should avoid letting their children

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How Is Property Divided in an Oklahoma City Divorce?

Property in Oklahoma is divided under equitable distribution laws. Property division can be an unexpectedly stressful part of a divorce, especially if a couple has a high-asset divorce or complicated assets. Under equitable distribution, marital property is not necessarily split equally between spouses. Instead, the court reviews several factors about the marriage, such as marital misconduct and the income of each spouse, to determine what a fair split of property is. What Is Marital Property? Marital property is the only property that is divisible during a divorce. Oklahoma defines marital property, or shared property, as all assets and debts acquired

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Understanding Protective Orders in Oklahoma

Oklahoma provides protection for victims of crimes such as domestic violence, harassment, and stalking through protective orders and victim protection orders (VPOs). Though the court can’t prevent harassing behavior, a protective order provides guidelines that result in criminal penalties if violated. Types of Protective Orders in Oklahoma There are three types, or levels, of an order of protection: an emergency temporary protective order, an emergency ex parte protective order, and a final protective order. Emergency Temporary Protective Order These orders are issued in an extreme emergency, usually issued by the police when responding to a violent incident while the court

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How Are Child Custody and Child Support Related? Everything You Need to Know

Many people are vaguely aware of the concepts of child support and child custody. However, very few know the details of these arrangements and the ways in which they go together. Support and custody are inextricably linked, as they are two ways in which parents contribute to their children’s upbringing. If you are navigating child support or child custody, either as the result of a divorce or in an unrelated scenario, it is imperative that you understand how the two affect one another. What Is Child Custody? Child custody is the time and effort that a parent spends raising a

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Finding Common Ground: The Power of Mediation in Resolving Child Support Disputes

Child support is essential to ensuring that children receive the financial support they need from both parents. Unfortunately, disputes between parents can arise, making it difficult to determine the appropriate amount of child support payments. In such cases, mediation can be an effective tool for resolving these disputes. What Is Mediation? Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as a mediator, facilitates communication and negotiation between two or more parties. The mediator does not make any decisions for the parties but helps them reach an agreement that is acceptable to all involved. Mediation is often used to

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The Fine Line Between Fairness and Funding: The Complexities of Spousal Support

Spousal support, a monetary contribution from one spouse to another, is crucial to post-divorce financial stability. Yet, despite its intended purpose of providing financial security, the determination of spousal support can be a convoluted and emotionally charged process. There are many complexities surrounding this critical issue. Determining Spousal Support The process of determining spousal support involves a comprehensive examination of the couple’s financial situation. It will consider factors such as: Income Assets Debts The length of the marriage The age and health of the spouses Contributions to the marriage However, this process is more complex than it may seem, as

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Breaking the News: Helping Your Children Understand Divorce

As a parent, one of the hardest things you may ever have to do is tell your children that you are getting divorced. This can be a difficult and emotional conversation, and it’s essential to handle it in the best way possible for the well-being of your children. Here are some tips to help you navigate this conversation and support your children through this difficult time. Have the Conversation as a Couple First and foremost, it’s important to have this conversation together as a couple. This will show your children that you are still a united front and committed to

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How to Recognize the Early Signs of Domestic Violence

It’s not always easy to tell when a relationship is unhealthy or abusive. Many people want to believe that their partner would never hurt them, so they may not even recognize the early warning signs. This can be especially true for victims of domestic violence, whose abuser may have conditioned them to minimize the abuse or even deny it altogether. If you’re worried about your own relationship or you’re concerned about a friend or family member, it’s essential to know what to look for. The following are some of the most common early warning signs of domestic violence. Your partner

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Special Considerations for “Gray” Divorce in Oklahoma City, OK

While marriage rates have steadily fallen over recent years and divorce rates have risen, not only are more divorces being filed throughout the United States but many more types of divorces are being filed. When most people think of divorce, they typically imagine younger couples who rush into marriage or otherwise realize they are incompatible, divorcing within a few years of marrying. However, today, many more “gray” divorces are happening than ever, and older Americans are ending their marriages at higher and higher rates each year. As life expectancy has increased, more older Americans do not think they are too

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