Family Law
Family law pertains to legal matters within a family. This includes the formation of marriages and civil unions as well as the termination of such relationships. When such relationships are dissolved, issues of property division, child custody, visitation, and support fall under family law.
At Rochelle & Associates, I'm here to help you and your family through the crisis in the most caring and effective way possible. My law firm is fully licensed to practice family law in the state of Oklahoma and I'll work with you during every step of the legal process. I pride myself on building strong relationships with every client I serve. My goal is to provide personalized and individualized representation that is crafted to meet your specific and unique needs.
My law firm specializes in the following areas of family law:
Divorces
Legal Separations
Domestic Partnerships
Child Custody and Support
Child Visitation Rights
Spousal Support
Distribution of Marital Assets and Debts
Domestic Violence
If disagreements exist between you and your spouse, I'll use my experience, knowledge, and litigation skills to resolve any disputes and reach an outcome that is in your best interest.
Divorce in Oklahoma
When you come to the conclusion that dissolving your marriage is in your best interest, it can be a devastating reality. While the situation may seem anything but hopeful, I'm here to help you get to the light at the end of the tunnel. What looked like the end of the road could very well be the start of a bright, new future. With me by your side, you'll find the courage to move forward with your life and maybe even love again.
Not to mention, I genuinely care about the family unit as a whole. If children are involved, you can rest assured that I will do whatever caters to their well-being and peace of mind. Keep in mind that with Oklahoma law, there is a mandatory waiting period of 90-days from the date the divorce is filed when minor children are involved. This precedence may seem like a headache at first, but it really exists to serve the overall good of everyone involved.
Child Custody in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, both parents are equally entitled to physical custody of the child(ren) so long as the father signed the birth certificate and the child(ren) have lived in Oklahoma for at least six months. If a custody order is filed, the court will aim to do what is in the best interest of the child(ren)'s physical, mental, and moral health. There are four types of custody agreements:
Sole Legal Custody - one parent is granted the right to make legal decisions for the child(ren)
Joint Legal Custody - both parents are granted the right to make legal decisions for the child(ren)
Sole Physical Custody - the child(ren) live full time with one parent while the other has visitation rights
Joint Physical Custody - the child(ren) live part tie with both parents
Child Support in Oklahoma
How much child support one parent receives from the other is based upon income. There are a few different ways in which the support is calculated. The court may look at the parents' actual monthly income, average monthly income over the past three years, or minimum wage over the period of a 40-hour workweek among other factors. The child custody agreement also plays a significant role as the amount can vary based on if a parent has sole or joint custody.