fbpx

Oklahoma Bar Journal

March 2018 | Family Law

 

Feature Articles

When Billy Wants to Live With Dad: A Guide to Using a Child's Custody Preference in Litigation
Frequently the basis for a request for custody in an initial dissolution, paternity case or motion to modify is the expressed preference of the minor child. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines about the statutory criteria that must be met by the attorney and the trial judge related to a child’s preference and practical considerations for both.

Where to Start? Preparing to Examine a Family Law Expert
The purpose of this article is to assist lawyers in preparing to examine experts in a family law case. Over recent years, family law trials have increasingly involved the utilization of expert witnesses and their testimony.

Court-Ordered Grandparent Visitation
The U.S. Supreme Court has held that as long as a grandchild’s parent is fit, a state should not interfere with the ability of the parent to make decisions regarding the best interests of the child or who may have visitation with the child.1

Changes to Guardian Ad Litem Reporting
The Legislature introduced Senate Bill 50 on Jan. 1, 2017. The bill was passed through the House and Senate without changes and was approved by the governor on April 11, 2017. The bill revised the statute dealing with guardian ad litem reports and the role of the guardian ad litem in family law cases. The revised statute, which took effect Nov. 1, 2017, can be found at 43 O.S. §107.3.1

Using Trust and Tax Solutions in Divorce Mediation
In the United States, according to Holmes’ and Rahe’s social readjustment scale, divorce is regarded as the second most stressful life event after the death of a spouse.1

Co-Parenting Woes: There's an App for That
Ask any parent and they will likely agree that parenting is a difficult job in the best of circumstances. Co-parenting during and after a divorce, where negative feelings and miscommunication have often been the case, increases the difficulty of focusing on the interest of the children. In today’s app-filled world, you would expect there to be apps to help with clear communication, documentation and scheduling between co-parents, and there are.