I am the custodial parent with a joint custody agreement in place with my ex-husband for our two teenage children. My daughter is experiencing mental health problems, and there is professional recommendation for treatment. However, my ex-husband, the non-custodial parent, refuses to consent to any... View More

I am considering filing a protective order against my children's father who stopped taking his prescribed medication and has attempted suicide in front of our children. He has made multiple threats previously and refuses to continue his treatment, claiming he doesn't need it. This... View More

I have been doing week-on, week-off custody with my kids for the last 3 years without any formal court order and no child support payments. However, my ex-partner is now trying to make me pay child support. What are my options or obligations in this situation, considering there has been no change... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Apr 7, 2025

Get formal paperwork put in place. There will be a Child Support Calculation worksheet put together for you but it will take into account overnights, childcare (if any), Health Insurance (if any), other children in the home (not part of the case), alimony being paid out, etc... Your best bet is to... View More

In Oklahoma, my son's spouse refuses to sign the decree of dissolution of marriage. She has been separated from him for over five years and has sent him threatening text messages if he tries to contact her. We have no children involved, and there are no lawyers or protective orders in place.... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Apr 4, 2025

Your best bet is to contact a family law attorney and have them help you through this last bit of the process.

I'm helping my son file for divorce without a lawyer in Oklahoma to save money. His wife signed the petition for dissolution of marriage and the waiver of summons and entry of appearance but did not sign the decree of dissolution of marriage. Now, we don't know where she is, and she is... View More

In Oklahoma, if my 17-year-old child has been issued an emergency order of detention while in the emergency room due to violent and aggressive behavior, fighting with me, and having a history of mental health issues and law enforcement involvement, do I, as the custodial parent, have to stay with... View More

I've been dealing with my lawyer for two years regarding my divorce case. She hasn't contacted me in over a month, even after I sent a certified letter, and she isn't providing any of my information on file. I've tried reaching out via email and text. I'm particularly... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You can hire a new attorney to file an entry on your behalf and they will be able to get all the information from the opposing counsel or from the court. Alternatively, you can file a termination of attorney with the court and then you can represent yourself pro se and the opposing counsel can... View More

I am currently involved in a Title 10A guardianship situation in Oklahoma, and I am a recovering addict. My oldest child is under my mother's guardianship, and my 15-month-old is technically in DHS custody but also placed with my mother. Although I still have my parental rights and have been... View More

I am trying to sell my current home in Oklahoma City after being legally divorced from my ex-wife for several years. She no longer lives at the address, but she is on the deed because she had to legally sign during the purchase process when we were still together. Our divorce was uncontested, and... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Mar 31, 2025

Based on your facts you presented, there being no reference to the property in the decree, then yes she will have to sign for you to sell the house. In the alternative, you can file a quit-claim deed to have her removed, then when you are ready to sell she would be off the deed. Either item will... View More

I have a custody case in Tulsa County, and the father is not abiding by the joint custody order. He has kept our child from me for the past four weekends and is trying to prevent her from staying with me this summer, as outlined in the custody agreement. Although he has violated the order in the... View More

I am concerned about my spouse's methamphetamine use, as he has been acting paranoid and screaming. The behavior occurs in our home, which is solely in his name. When I raised my concerns, he told me to mind my own business. He obtains the methamphetamine in Missouri and brings it home to... View More

I recently fled a domestic violence relationship in Oklahoma and relocated to Nevada with my children. I acquired a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) in Nevada, where I was also granted temporary custody on March 18th, 2025. I registered this order with the state of Oklahoma. There is no prior... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Mar 31, 2025

The courts will have to determine jurisdiction. It sounds like you just recently moved, and the residence of the minor child would have been in Oklahoma prior to you leaving. Which then most likely, the fathers motion will be heard here, and the Nevada court will most likely transfer their case... View More

I live in Oklahoma, and my wife and I are currently living separately without any court-ordered custody or visitation arrangements. I was planning to file for custody to have official orders in place, as my wife has been controlling my time with the children without any agreements. However, she... View More

I need legal advice regarding my child, who has been taken by the possible father without my permission in Oklahoma City, OK. There are no court orders regarding custody or visitation rights, and paternity has not been legally established. I involved law enforcement, and there have been a couple of... View More

I am facing an adjudication disposition hearing concerning my infant, and my hospital records were accessed without my consent, which I discovered when I noticed a DHS worker listed as an emergency contact. There are allegations that I tested positive for amphetamines. I contacted the hospital... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Mar 24, 2025

In your answer you state your legal counsel therefore you need to be discussing these matters with them.

Is it legal for an attorney to disclose the location of a domestic violence shelter to an abuser in family court?

I live in Oklahoma, and my son's father recently married another woman, seemingly committing immigration fraud. We have been living together for several years, sharing a home and finances, and Oklahoma recognizes common-law marriage. I have evidence of our cohabitation, like shared bank... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Mar 17, 2025

Oklahoma is & is not a common law state -- There are still requirements to be met for the 'non-ceremonial' marriage (which is the closest thing to common-law) - Based on the limited facts you stated, it would be hard to meet the burden of proof to actually depict such. Having a child... View More

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My wife and I took care of my parents for 14 years, and then my brother took over before he passed away. My mother is in Oklahoma, and she wants to add my daughter to the deed and remove herself to prevent the state from intervening, as there are attempts to sell her house. We want to stop the sale... View More

The Fairview Police Department was called for a disturbance within city limits, the sheriff’s office was never dispatched or notified for assistance, yet they interjected themselves anyways. They refused to identify themselves while body cams were being used and only once a third party recorded,... View More

Charles Watts
answered on Mar 13, 2025

I assume you are speaking of Major County sheriff deputies as you mentioned Fairview. A common misconception is the only law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction within city limits is the city themselves. However, this is incorrect. The City of Fairview is located inside Major County;... View More

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I am wondering if a parent can legally withhold a child support funds card from the child the support is for, in the state of Oklahoma. There is a court order regarding the child support funds, the child is 17 years old, and the mother is the custodial parent responsible for managing the funds.

Charles Watts
answered on Feb 22, 2025

Child support is funds for the support of raising the child - not money for the child. This can go towards housing, utilities, food, clothing, etc… it does not have to go to the child directly.