- DivorceOnce a petition for Divorce is filed, if you have minor children there is a mandatory ninety (90) day waiting period before the Divorce can become final.There is a procedure to ask for a waiver of the 90 day waiting period for good cause shown and if both parties agree to the Divorce. If the Divorce is contested, then it could take several months to a year before the case goes to trial. Some cases, depending upon complexity, can take over a year. Mediation can often help settle a highly contested Divorce case.
- Child SupportOklahoma has Child Support Guidelines which establish a formula for how much child support should be paid.The main components to this formula are...
- Child Custody and VisitationVisitation Information for Oklahoma Fathers in Divorce and Child Custody Cases - FATHER'S PARENTAL RIGHTS LAW CENTER of OKLAHOMA
- AdoptionAt the Father's Parental Rights Law Center, we frequently see cases where the mom tries to first lessen and then virtually eliminate contact with the Father if he moves out of state. If mom has a new husband, she may be trying to get her new husband to adopt your child via a step-parent adoption. She may begin to have your child call the new husband/boyfriend "Daddy". To keep this from happening, it is critical that you have evidence you tried to maintain the role of a Dad to your child(ren). Tell her in writing that you
- PaternityDivorce and Child Custody Information for Oklahoma Fathers in Paternity Cases - FATHER'S PARENTAL RIGHTS LAW CENTER of OKLAHOMA
- GuardianshipSometimes the circumstances a parent(s) finds themselves in require that a Guardianship be put into place, due to the parent's unfitness at the time. A Guardian is a relative or third party, not the other parent. Creation of a Guardianship is temporary. It gives the Guardian custody rights to the child(ren) they would not normally have. When the condition which led to the creation of the Guardianship no longer exists, the parent can ask to have their custodial rights restored.
- Spousal SupportSupport alimony is intended to provide for the support of a spouse upon divorce. When awarded, it is usually for a set monthly amount for a specific period of time. It cannot be awarded indefinitely. One basis for an alimony award is that it should be for “transitional” purposes. This means that alimony should help cushion the economic impact from married to single life. There is no exact formula for an alimony award. Each case is determined upon its own specific facts.
- Legal SeparationOklahoma law recognizes Common Law Marriage. A Common Law Marriage is just as valid as a ceremonial marriage. If you meet the requirements for establishing a Common Law Marriage, then you will have to file a petition for Divorce to dissolve your marriage. Did you represent yourselves as being husband and wife to your friends, employers, etc? Did your ex use your last name? How did you file your income taxes? Do you have joint bank accounts? These are some of the questions used in evaluating whether you have established a Common Law Marriage. Contact us for assistance if you need help in determining whether you have a Common Law Marriage and need to file for Divorce or Legal Separation.
- Annulment"(1) an action for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment involving the grandchild's parents is pending before the court, and the grandparent had a preexisting relationship with the child that predates the filing of the action for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment...
- Child AbuseAnother type of DHS involvement in family law cases is a Deprived Child proceeding. This happens when there is an allegation of child abuse and/or neglect made against a parent.The DHS can seek termination of parental rights to a child(ren)! If you or your child(ren)'s mother are being investigated by DHS, please contact us as soon as possible for assistance with your defense.
- Criminal DefenseMs. Spradlin was the 2002 recipient of the Clarence Darrow Award from the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in recognition of her defense in a high-profile case. She has extensive experience representing people with issues of mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism. She has been a featured guest speaker at legal seminars including "Learning From the Oklahoma Criminal Jury Trial Masters - Advanced Criminal Jury Trial Techniques."
- Sex CrimesShe began her legal career as an Assistant Public Defender with the Oklahoma County Public Defender's Office in 1992. She was assigned to the felony trial division, and successfully tried numerous serious felony cases. She obtained numerous Not Guilty verdicts for those wrongfully accused of very serious felonies including rape and murder. In 1997, she was assigned to the newly created Capital Trial Division which provided legal representation in First Degree Murder cases, when the client was facing the death penalty.
- MisdemeanorsMr. McCown graduated from Oklahoma City University Law School in 1973, after receiving his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1970. To further his advocacy skills, he participated in and won speech contests at the local, state and national levels through Toastmasters. He served as President of the Leukemia Society of America, Oklahoma Chapter. During law school, Mr. McCown was employed as an Insurance Adjuster with a large national insurance company. After graduating law school, Mr. McCown represented insurance companies and has represented hundreds of people injured in accidents. He was an Assistant Public Defender of Oklahoma County, and has tried numerous misdemeanor and felony cases. He has successfully argued numerous cases before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
- Murder
- Personal InjuryMr. McCown handles all aspects of Family Law representation including: Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Paternity,Step-Parent Adoptions, Separations, Guardianships, Military, Alimony, Modifications, Name-Change, Relocation, and Abductions both State and International.In addition to Family Law matters, he also handles a variety of Business Litigation, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Lawsuits.
- Estate PlanningSumma Cum Laude, in 1992 from Oklahoma City University. As the youngest person ever to graduate from OCU in 1989, the OCU Law School awarded her the prestigious Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship. During law school, she received numerous awards including the Judge Tom Brett Criminal Law Award. She received multiple American Jurisprudence Awards for Constitutional Law, Property, Wills and Estates, Bankruptcy, and Criminal Procedure. She served as President of the Moot Court Board, competing on the National Moot Court Team. She attained the Order of the Barristers in recognition for her courtroom advocacy skills.
- Wills
- Bankruptcy