OKC Child Custody Lawyer

Helping You Navigate Custody Issues in Oklahoma City, OK

When you’re a parent, you want to be a part of your child’s life. You want to watch them grow up, teach them your traditions, and help them become their best possible selves. This makes any issues involving custody or visitation particularly devastating, but experienced legal counsel can help you ensure that you’ll always be there for your child in Oklahoma City.

Simmons & Associates represents clients with a variety of family law challenges, but few seem more important to them than child custody and visitation.

Experienced Representation for the Most Important Family Matters

Our Oklahoma City child custody attorneys understand why the parents we counsel place these matters as top priorities, which is why our law office strives to ensure the best possible outcomes remain within reach. Through personalized legal counsel, our family lawyers in Oklahoma City can provide the support you need to protect your place in your child’s life.

Reach out to our Oklahoma City child custody attorneys for a consultation today. We are also available by phone at (405) 591-2284.

Protecting Your Child's Best Interests

At Simmons & Associates, our attorneys understand that child custody matters are of utmost importance to you and your family. Our experienced family law attorneys in Oklahoma City are dedicated to protecting your child's best interests and ensuring a favorable outcome for your case.

Factors that are considered in determining child custody include:

• The child's age and gender
• The child's relationship with each parent
• The mental and physical health of each parent
• The ability of each parent to provide a stable and nurturing environment
• The child's preference, if they are of a certain age

When it comes to disputes involving children, it is crucial to have knowledgeable legal representation on your side. Our team is well-versed in Oklahoma's laws and can guide you through the complex legal process.

How Long Does a Child Custody Case Take in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, custody disputes can take as little as 30 days or as long as several years to resolve. The cost can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands.

If a child is released from emergency custody, the adjudication hearing is delayed beyond 90 days from the petition's filing date. The court can extend the emergency order by up to another 90 days if it makes findings of fact.

Types of Custody in Oklahoma City

In an Oklahoma City custody case, there are two types of custody being dealt with:

1. Physical custody: The legal authority to determine where a child lives.
2. Legal custody: The legal authority to make important decisions about the child's life, such as regarding religion, education, and medical care.

If you are involved in a child custody and visitation dispute, your goal is likely to get the most amount of custody of your children as possible. Both kinds of custody can be awarded solely to one parent, assigned jointly, or a combination of these. For example, one parent may have sole physical custody but share joint legal custody with a child’s other parent.

Sole & Joint Physical Custody Considerations

In a sole physical custody arrangement, the parent with physical custody lives with the child 100% of the time and the other parent may be granted visitation privileges.

In a joint physical custody arrangement, children may live with either parent according to a split schedule as determined by the court. That said, one parent is more likely to get more time than the other.

What if My Child's Other Parent Wants to Move?

If the parent with the most physical custody (custodial parent) wishes to move more than 75 miles away from the other parent in Oklahoma City, they must file for a move-away relocation order.

• At this time, the other parent can challenge the move-away order and request the court to reexamine the current arrangement.
• Typically, move-away orders can succeed when the custodial parent has a substantial reason that benefits their children.

Our family law attorneys will work closely with you to understand your unique situation and develop a personalized strategy for your case. We will advocate for your rights as a parent and strive to achieve an arrangement that is in the best interests of your child.

Oklahoma Legal Custody Considerations

As mentioned, legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make important decisions for their child. These decisions can range from:

• Medical care
• Education
• Religious upbringing
• Extracurricular activities
• More

Is Oklahoma a 50/50 Custody State?

Yes, Oklahoma is a 50/50 custody state. The court usually orders that the child spend equal time with each parent. There are lots of things that can change the default 50/50 arrangement. For example, parents may have joint custody, with one parent having traditional visitation with the children. Standard visitation is typically every other weekend with alternating holidays.

Joint Legal Custody

When parents have joint legal custody, they must make these decisions together. Any conflict or disagreement that can’t be resolved out of Oklahoma City family court could result in changes to the legal custody order.

Sole Legal Custody

If a parent has sole legal custody of their children, then they alone have the legal authority to make important decisions for their child. The parent without legal custody has no such authority unless otherwise specified by the court in Oklahoma City.

How Do Judges Decide Child Custody & Visitation in Oklahoma?

When judges in Oklahoma City consider child custody and visitation decisions, they are guided by doing what they believe is in the child’s best interests. This means judges will issue orders that they believe will support a child’s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

A few specific factors Oklahoma City judges will evaluate include the following:

• Each parent’s household stability
• Each parent’s work schedule
• The child’s relationship with each parent
• The impact that a parent’s household can have on a child’s social and education opportunities
• The child’s preference (typically for older teenagers)

Judges often strive to create joint arrangements unless there’s evidence and/or history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or other factors that could negatively impact a child.

Understanding Visitation Rights in Oklahoma

When dealing with child custody issues, it's important to understand the concept of visitation rights in Oklahoma. Visitation rights refer to the non-custodial parent's legal right to spend time with their child. Our experienced child custody lawyers at Simmons & Associates can help you navigate the complexities of visitation rights and ensure that your child's best interests are protected.

Key points to consider about visitation rights in Oklahoma include:

• The non-custodial parent's right to regular visitation
• Potential restrictions on visitation due to safety concerns
• Modification of visitation schedules based on changing circumstances
• Enforcement of visitation rights if the custodial parent interferes

Our team is dedicated to advocating for your rights as a parent and ensuring that your child has the opportunity to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your child custody dispute in Oklahoma City.

Why Choose Simmons & Associates for Your Child Custody Needs?

When facing a child custody dispute, having the right legal representation can make all the difference. At Simmons & Associates, we understand that each family situation is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized legal solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced attorneys not only bring a wealth of knowledge about Oklahoma's custody laws but also a compassionate approach that prioritizes your family's well-being.

Here are a few reasons why clients in Oklahoma City trust us with their child custody cases:

• Personalized Strategy: We take the time to understand your circumstances, goals, and concerns to develop a customized legal strategy that aligns with your family's best interests.
• Strong Advocacy: Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and fierce advocates, ensuring that your voice is heard in court and that your child's needs are prioritized.
• Comprehensive Support: From initial consultations to final resolutions, we provide comprehensive support throughout the entire legal process, helping you navigate every step with confidence.
• Proven Track Record: Our firm has successfully represented numerous clients in child custody cases, and we have a reputation for achieving favorable outcomes.
• Community Commitment: As a local firm, we are deeply invested in the Oklahoma City community and understand the nuances of local family law.

Don't leave your child's future to chance. Contact Simmons & Associates today to schedule a consultation and let us help you secure the best possible outcome for your family.

We Can Help with Your Child Custody Dispute in Oklahoma City

At Simmons & Associates, our family law attorney in Oklahoma City can provide the legal representation you need. With many years of combined experience, our family lawyers can address any question you may have during this process and guide you through it step by step.

We value honest, direct, and regular communication. That means you can expect to understand your case’s status and the options available to you in real time. Our personalized legal support also means that we’ll respond to your unique concerns and goals, ensuring you receive complete representation.

Learn more about how the Oklahoma City child custody lawyers from Simmons & Associates can help during an initial consultation. Contact us online or call (405) 591-2284 today to learn more.