Best Divorce Lawyers in Broken Arrow, OK

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma?

  For a non-emergency dispatch, call the Broken Arrow Police Department at 918-259-8400.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma?

  Incident reports can be requested in person at or mailed to the BAPD Records at 1101 N. 6th Street, Broken Arrow, OK. Call the records office at 918-451-8302 for more information.

• Are personal injury lawyers allowed to initiate first contact with potential clients in Broken Arrow?

  Not really. Under the OK Rules of Professional conduct, personal injury lawyers are not allowed to directly solicit potential clients in Broken Arrow. Even using case runners or ambulance chasers to contact potential clients is illegal in Oklahoma and subject to penalties for each offense. These individuals are hired by some lawyers to solicit clients in the emergency room or police reporting websites.

• What do you check when making a counteroffer to the insurance company's first offer in a personal injury case in Broken Arrow?

  Review how the compensation amount for each injury was calculated by the insurance company. Check if there are any damages with values that are unreasonably low. Identify if there are any damages that were rejected because the evidence was considered insufficient. Include any additional evidence that was not in the demand letter. Lastly, make your counteroffer which can be the same as the amount you requested previously or lower.

• How is a denied insurance claim in Broken Arrow appealed?

  An appeal for a denied insurance claim in Broken Arrow can be submitted to the insurance company first and if there is no improvement, to the insurance commissioner's office in the state. The letter should precisely point out the counter-response to the denial reason and include supporting evidence, depending on the denial reason. For more information, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department's Consumer Assistance/Claims Division at 1-800-522-0071 or 405-521-2991.

• If a criminal case on sexual assault is ongoing, can you still file a personal injury case in Broken Arrow against the defendant?

  Yes. There is no requirement on which case should be filed first because criminal court proceedings are different from the proceedings in civil court. However, both cases have filing deadlines. A personal injury claim for sexual assault should be filed within two years except when the victim is a minor. In such cases, the two-year deadline starts when the minor becomes eighteen years old.

• How do you know if you have a personal injury claim in Broken Arrow?

  If another person was negligent or failed to act reasonably given the circumstances and caused your injuries, you may have a personal injury claim in Broken Arrow. Factors such as medical care, the long-term effects of your injuries, and the percentage of your fault in the accident should also be considered.

• What are the basic steps to filing for divorce?

  The steps required to file for divorce depend heavily on whether the divorce is contested, if there are minor children or property issues at stake, and if there are disagreements over child support or alimony. The process may also differ from state to state, but generally parties must:

  • File the divorce petition
  • Hire a process server to give the other party divorce papers/respond to the original petitioner's filing
  • Request temporary orders covering issues such as custody/visitation, support, and exclusive property use
  • Make financial disclosures
  • Request discovery from your spouse
  • Propose and/or consider a possible settlement
  • Go to trial if necessary
  • Receive a signed judgment from the court indicating the divorce is final
  • Address post-divorce tasks such as transferring property titles and closing joint bank accounts

• How much does it cost to get a divorce?

  The cost of a divorce differs dramatically based on a litany of criteria, such as whether the divorce is contested, where the divorce petition is filed, and whether the divorce requires a professional intermediary or other legal expert. A simple, low-frills DIY divorce can be as little as a few hundred dollars. Add in mediation and the cost may jump to the mid-four figures and can easily reach $7,000 or more. Hire a lawyer and you may pay anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000+ if there are major custodial issue or complex financial concerns.

• How much does a divorce lawyer cost?

  Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour and billing can vary dramatically. Some attorneys in more affordable markets and/or with less experience may charge as little as $75/hour. More experienced attorney or those who have large staffs, specialize in complex cases, or hold relevant certifications may charge premium rates in excess of $400/hour. Then there are the amount of hours invested; simple cases may be over in a matter of weeks while hotly contested divorces can drag on for years leading to lawyer's fees in the tens of thousands.

• How to choose a divorce lawyer/what to look for?

  Divorce lawyers are not one-size-fits-all. It's important to find a lawyer whose skill set, experience, and resources align with the demands of each specific situation. For instance, some attorneys will push mediation while others are naturals in the courtroom.

  • Know your budget
  • Limit your search to lawyers experienced in family law
  • Zero in on lawyers or firms that can handle the complexities of divorce, especially any issues that may be specific to the current case
  • Read reviews and ask friends for recommendations, but remember that their situations and needs may not be the same
  • Conduct interviews to see who feels trustworthy and can spell out an approach that feels appropriate
  • Try to ignore ad campaigns and office décor and instead consider track record and skills

• What is an uncontested divorce?

  An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree on the major issues, such as custody of any minor children, child support, alimony, and how to divide any assets and/or debt. While uncontested divorces still require a judge to approve the terms of the divorcing couple's signed agreement, these relatively simple splits tend to move faster, cost less money, and are easier to execute without the help of a divorce lawyer. A divorce filing that goes unanswered by the non-petitioning party may also be considered uncontested.

• Can you file for divorce without a lawyer?

  It's possible to file for divorce without a lawyer, especially if the divorce is uncontested. Many states offer free divorce forms either online or at legal self-help centers located in or near family court. There are often dispute resolution resources available as well; mediation services can help iron out disputes over custody or financial support without involving lawyers. Still, a free consultation with a divorce lawyer can offer valuable insight, and contentious divorces, whether they go to trial or not, all but require legal representation.

• How long does it take to get a divorce?

  The length of a divorce is contingent on four things: each state's mandatory waiting period, whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, how quickly both sides can come to an agreement, and how quickly a judge is able to hear or review the case and sign off. The best-case scenario is an uncontested divorce in a state with a short waiting period which could see a divorce finalized in a matter of weeks. For divorces with highly combative parties, long discovery periods, and other complications, a decision could take months or even years.

• How to prepare for divorce?

  It's difficult to ever feel truly prepared for the rigors of divorce, but there are several steps that can make the process more bearable and allow for a more positive outcome:

  • Interview attorneys
  • Locate and make copies of important documents like mortgage and car titles, insurance policies, business licenses, financial records, bank statements, and income tax returns
  • Take inventory of valuable household items that should be considered later while splitting assets
  • Make a detailed list of monthly expenses, including utilities, rent or mortgage, childcare, kids' activities like sports or dance classes, school tuition, and insurance
  • Know what the respondent's income is, including any income from self-employment, stock dividends, and interest
  • Double-check credit history and evaluate both short- and long-term earning potential
  • Set goals for ideal custody arrangement, support amounts, and living arrangements
  • Get support from friends and family

• What to do with an engagement ring after divorce?

  Most courts follow state laws that consider an engagement ring to be the recipient's property once a wedding takes place, which means it remains that recipient's individual property even after a divorce. Other states categorize engagement rings as marital property and as such the ring is subject to the same division of assets as a house or art collection might be. For spouses who get to keep their jewelry, engagement rings can be sold, dismantled and repurposed, returned to the original buyer, or kept and handed down to any children the marriage may have produced.

• What is divorce mediation?

  When divorces get heated or even just have the potential to become messy, a neutral third party can help calm both parties and resolve issues without the need for a trial. This is called mediation. A great mediator is unbiased and invested in a balanced, fair outcome; they will ideally listen to both parties, encourage respectful discussions, and raise questions or concerns when appropriate. Once an agreement is reached, the mediator will prepare documents detailing the agreed-upon terms. Using a mediator only works if both sides are willing to meet and discuss a compromise, but doing so can save a considerable amount of time, money, emotional strain, and overall stress.