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When faced with potentially no longer having two incomes in one household due to divorce,you may need to start re-evaluating your financial situation. Making major lifestyle changes canbe a daunting task especially if you're used to having the little luxuries of Saturday yogasessions with girlfri...

Do you or the spouse you're divorcing have a Thrift Savings Plan? This is a tax-deferred retirement account for members of the military and federal employees, similar to 401k plans offered by private employers. Participants add to their accounts through regular payroll deductions and the money is...

Solar farms provide a source of renewable clean energy for distribution for electric companies, while providing an income stream for the property owners.  Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC has experience working closely with landowners to create a carefully crafted agreement with the developer to create a win-win situation for both parties.  Call Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC at 405-635-5578 to set up a lease review strategy session. www.hayeslegalsolutions.com 405-635-5578; OK Renewable Energy Landowner Attorney

Timeline of Divorce in Oklahoma Initial Filing and Waiting Period: The divorce process in Oklahoma typically begins with one party, known as the petitioner, filing a petition for divorce in the county they have resided in for at least 30 days. Upon filing, a waiting period of 10 days exist before a divorce can be finalized when minor children are not involved and 90 days when minor children are involved.   Uncontested Divorce: If the divorce is uncontested, meaning both parties agree on all relevant issues, the process can be expedited. In such cases, couples may be able to finalize their divorce shortly    after the mandatory waiting period. The timeline for an uncontested divorce typically depends on the court’s docket and the efficiency of the parties involved. However, it is not uncommon for   uncontested  divorces to be resolved within a few months. Contested Divorce: In cases where disagreements persist regarding key issues like child custody, division of assets, alimony, or child support, a contested divorce may ensue. Contested divorces often require more time to reach a resolution as the court must intervene to resolve disputes. The duration of a contested divorce can vary significantly, depending on the complexity of the issues involved, the cooperation between parties, and the caseload of the court. On average, it can take anywhere from six months to a year or more to complete a contested divorce in Oklahoma. Mediation and Settlement Negotiations: To help expedite the divorce process and minimize courtroom involvement, many couples opt for mediation or engage in settlement negotiations. Mediation involves a neutral third party who helps facilitate discussions between the divorcing spouses, aiming to find mutually agreeable solutions. If successful, mediation can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with a contested divorce. Settlement negotiations outside of mediation can also aid in reaching compromises, allowing for a smoother and quicker resolution. Court Proceedings and Trial: In cases where disputes cannot be resolved through mediation or negotiations, the divorce may proceed to court proceedings. Court dates and trial schedules can contribute to the length of the divorce process, as they are dependent on the availability of the court and legal professionals involved. Typically, court proceedings are considered the last resort and tend to extend the timeline of a divorce.

As much as our firm prides ourselves on amicable divorces, the reality is people can be difficult and harsh, especially when we are talking about ending relationships. A lot of times people are ashamed of some of their skeletons in the closet as a reason to not proceed with divorce and keep their children in un-healthy environments. To make the most out of your time with your attorney, when discussing family matters, do not be ashamed and be honest with your attorney about any skeletons in your closet to help your divorce team develop a strategy that is most advantageous to you. Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC can help you identify any skeletons in your closet and turn them into an asset. for you.

Common Behaviors Of a Narcissist; Why Do Narcissist put a strong fight in Divorce?

How divorce process works in Oklahoma.

Divorcing a Narcissist in Oklahoma. How to identify a Narcissist. Commonly asked questions about divorcing a Narcissist. How to Prepare for a Divorce with a Narcissist.

Court filing fees- average between $250.00- $275.00 depending on county you are in.  Process server fees- average between $75.00 -$175.00 depending on where you are having the other party served. Psychological Evaluations- If you have concerns about other party having mental issues that result in psychological evaluations being needed. These cost are often not covered by insurance. Forensic Accountant- If you are concerned about your spouse hiding money in a high asset divorce, a forensic accountant may be beneficial. Cost vary, between $5,000.00 and $15,000.00. Mediation- Private mediators $800-$1500 for the mediator, plus attorney fees for representation during mediation. Note, most divorces are resolved in this stage, which can save you thousands of dollars. Divorce Attorney- most attorneys charge by the hour for their time. Hourly rates vary depending on experience level of attorney handling your case and complexity of your case. Google tells you the average cost of a divorce in Oklahoma is between $4,000.00- $8,000.00 Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC is very resolution oriented and often is able to resolve cases for much less.  Supervised Visitation costs- $40-60 hr. Guardian Ad Litem- GAL's are needed in highly contested custody cases. GAL's typically charge retainers between $1500.00 and $2,000.00 to begin work. This is a third attorney represents the interests of minor child. Retainer- Fee attorney charges to begin work on your case. Retainers for divorce cases in Oklahoma typically range between $2000.00 and $5,000.00 depending on the complexity of the case. Payment Plans- Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC accepts payment plans on a case by case basis.  Experts- If you go trial, sometimes experts are needed to testify on custody issues and/or business evaluations.

Tips If You Are Thinking About Leaving Your Spouse Change Passwords on social media Check mortgage payoff and 401K balances before calling an attorney Check car balances Check banking balances Call an experienced well rounded attorney like Hayes Legal Solutions, PLLC

January is often dubbed as the beginning of divorce season because a lot of couples stay together during the holidays for the children. Then, as the New Year approaches, couples realize their underlying marital problems are still present. It is also a good time if you have children, because the process could be complete or almost complete by the beginning of summer, which would give the children a chance to get used to their new normal.

5 To-Dos When Facing A Divorce in the New Year Secure liquid funds, if possible before your spouse takes you off marital accounts. Get a separate account for your living expenses and attorney fees. Begin Gathering Financial Documents.  Compile all documents you can. Start pulling bank statements for the past few years, tax returns, retirement statements. These documents contain information that will be essential to determining the existence of certain assets, the value of certain assets, the value of your community estate, and your relative access to liquid funds. Create a monthly budget.  Your single household is about to become two.  You need to know what you can afford on a monthly bases going forward. Before filing, consider preparing your family for divorce.  Children benefit from a joint statement from parents regarding the divorce. The deleterious effects that can result from a divorce are not limited to you and your spouse and tend to be far reaching- affecting children, extended families, and friends.  Bottom line: use your best  judgement and consider the history of your interactions with your spouse before you inform your family of the divorce. Change your passwords and get new email addresses.

5 Tips for Surviving the Holidays During Divorce

Tips for Physicians to think about prior to divorce.

Things to think about if your marriage is impacted by infidelity.

Fall brings great football, food, and many marriages that are on the verge of falling apart.   Most couples in Oklahoma are fond of football. Sometimes, even too fond of football for a healthy marriage. If you have you are tired of being away from spouse during football season, your marriage ...

What does an automatic injunction allow you to do and not do.

Best Co Parenting apps in Oklahoma

Narcissist also are known to use the following tactics to make their spouse miserable during the process: Avoid service- hide from process servers and refuse to waive service. Hide funds. Drag out the divorce, by asking for continuances and/or filing excessive motions. Strategically try to make the other spouse so miserable, they give up. Push you to settle too quickly. Threaten to take everything. Reflect what they have done wrong on to you. 

As summer vacation season winds down, a lot of marital problems come to a head as the school year begins.  Parents are often conflicted as to whether the beginning of a school year is the right time to dissolve a marriage. Deciding to divorce your spouse is a very personal decision. Below are a f...

Parenting tips for upcoming school year.

ips for divorcing a Narcissistic Spouse Go to therapy/counseling Lean on your support system. Pick and Choose your battles. Set and maintain boundaries. Engage in self-care activities Work with an experienced attorney

Military divorce differences from civilian divorce.

Below are 5 tips to reduce conflict with your spouse in high-conflict custody battle: 1.) Plan the children's summer activity schedule in advance, stick to the schedule. 2.) Plan vacations ahead of time, communicate to your spouse your schedule and give them information as to what activities your child be participating in  and who they will be around. 3.)  Be careful about what you post on social media when traveling with your children.  A pitcher of margaritas with the kids in the background can be re-appear at the most inopportune times. 4.)  Detailed schedules about the childrens activities limit conflict because everyone is on the same page as to what the kids will be doing. 5.)  All situations are different, it is best to reach out to an attorney early in the divorce process to develop a strategy and joint custody plan that will fit your needs.

With rising interest rates and home prices rising so quickly, folks are always thinking about how they can save money on a residential transaction in Oklahoma. Now, you are seeing many flat fee MLS listing agreement where the seller only pays the agent a flat fee for listing their home on th...