Oklahoma Fathers Rights
Scared of DHS? Start Here - Part 2
In the last video, we talked about what to do if DHS approaches you to investigate or interview you after someone has made allegations against you. One important point to remember is that you may not always know exactly what those allegations are. You might think you know, but the claims may be different, exaggerated, or entirely false. Sometimes, children can misunderstand or misinterpret situations, especially younger ones. In other cases, older children may make accusations out of anger or because they want to influence custody decisions. That’s why it's essential to consult with an attorney right away. Read more »
Before You Talk to DHS, Watch This - Part 1
Today, Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings addresses a common question: What should you do if DHS approaches you for an investigation? Whether you reported the allegations or not, consulting with an attorney first is wise. Be polite but firm, asserting your right to legal representation. Investigators may discourage this, but it's important to protect your rights. You might not fully understand the allegations’ seriousness, so having an attorney present ensures clarity and proper representation. While it’s your choice to proceed alone, having legal guidance from the start is usually smarter. Watch for the next part where Tulsa family law attorney Clint Hastings provides more insight on this issue. Read more »
Keep Your Case Private in Oklahoma
Here’s a quick video about the importance of privilege and confidentiality with your attorney. Your confidentiality with your attorney is a statutory right. This means you cannot be forced to testify about things you've discussed in confidence with your attorney, nor can you be made to testify about their advice to you on those matters. You must keep your discussions with your attorney private. It's also important to be cautious when having other people present during your meetings with your attorney. The best advice here is to always ask your attorney what is confidential and what isn’t, and be mindful of your conversations. Read more »
Part 4: Guard Against Unsafe Parents in OK
In this video, Tulsa father's attorney Clint Hastings discusses what to do if you suspect your spouse is using drugs or alcohol around the kids. The court's main goal is to protect the children, not to punish the other parent. Temporary restrictions like supervised visitation and regular drug testing may be put in place to ensure the children's safety. Ideally, the other parent takes responsibility and shows progress through counseling or rehab programs. Judges typically won't order someone into rehab but will lift restrictions once clean tests and consistent behavior are demonstrated. It can be a challenging situation, but help is available for navigating it. Read more »
Part 3: Guard Against Unsafe Parents in OK
In the first two videos, we covered what steps to take depending on where you are in the divorce process, and what kinds of drug and alcohol tests are available. Now let’s talk about what happens after you get those test results — and what the court might do with them. Let’s say she tests positive. That can be a big deal in court, especially if the impairment happened around the children. On the other hand, a negative test doesn’t always mean she’s clean. Read more »
Part 2: Guard Against Unsafe Parents in OK
Part two of the series delves deeper into the legal options available if a spouse is impaired by drugs or alcohol during a custody battle or divorce. The possibilities include requesting a court-ordered drug test or utilizing statutory discovery for testing. Various testing methods range from urinalysis to hair follicle tests to ETG alcohol hair tests. Each test has its own detection window, with some able to detect substance use months back. However, additional evidence may be necessary to prove risky behavior. To navigate this complex situation, seeking professional guidance is crucial. Read more »
Part 1: Guard Against Unsafe Parents in OK
Bright lede: Here’s part one of a two-part video answering a question we received from a viewer: Summary: The video addresses what to do if a spouse is impaired by drugs and alcohol, offering guidance on when to file for divorce, how to handle concerns about child safety, and how to request drug or alcohol testing through the legal process. The speaker advises seeking legal help if facing a similar situation and promises more detailed information in part two of the video. Read more »
Late for Court? Don't Panic
When facing the possibility of being late for court, it's crucial to take immediate action by contacting your attorney. Failing to update your attorney on your lateness can lead the judge to assume you've disregarded your hearing, potentially harming your case. If you can't reach your attorney, try contacting the judge's clerk through the courthouse's listed number or email address. I've witnessed cases where clients seem indifferent to their delayed arrival, which can negatively impact their court appearance. It's always better to notify someone if you're running late, or better yet, aim to arrive early to court. For further guidance, consult with Clint Hastings, a Tulsa attorney specializing in assisting fathers. Read more »
Protective Orders: Get a Lawyer?
Protective order hearings are complex legal proceedings that can have a significant impact on your custody rights. Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant, having an attorney by your side can make a difference in the outcome. Without legal knowledge, you may struggle to navigate the evidence, objections, and cross-examinations involved in these trials. For defendants, decisions made in protective order court could have lasting consequences in civil cases as well. Considering this, seeking legal representation is crucial for a successful defense. If you are facing a protective order hearing, reach out to Tulsa Dads.Law for a consultation to ensure you have the support you need. Read more »
Can a Judge Block Your Visitation?
Clint Hastings, an attorney focusing on father’s rights in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dives into a common question: Can a protective order judge take away visitation rights with children? In short, it depends. If the order includes your children and prohibits contact, then visitation rights may be suspended. However, in many cases, family law matters like divorce can be linked to the protective order. Temporary restrictions on visitation may be imposed by the judge, but long-term limitations require a separate order from the family law judge. Have questions? Reach out for a chance to see them covered in a future video! Read more »
Cheating & Custody: The Facts from Tulsa Dad's Attorney
Today, Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings addresses a common concern: cheating and custody battles. Typically, infidelity alone doesn't affect custody, unless children were directly affected. If your kids were exposed to the affair, it might suggest poor judgment. In such cases, it's best to admit the mistake, promise it won't happen again, and show better decision-making going forward. While Oklahoma is no-fault, financial repercussions could arise if marital funds were used. For legal advice, reach out to Tulsa Dads.Law's Men's Child Custody Lawyer. Read more »
Emergency Protective Orders: What They Mean and Your Next Steps
Are you facing an emergency protective order from your ex-wife? It's crucial to not simply default on the order without consulting a legal professional. Clint Hastings, a Tulsa father's rights attorney, advises against this approach. By defaulting, you risk having a final protective order entered against you, which can have long-lasting consequences. Instead, consider fighting the order if it's weak or negotiating with the other party to have it lifted after a period of time with no violations. Consulting with an attorney can help determine the best course of action to protect your rights and future opportunities. Read more »
Protecting Your Kids: What to Do If Your Ex’s Friend Has a Felony Record
Hi, I'm Clint Hastings, a Tulsa Dads.Law attorney. Can you keep a felon away from your children? It depends on the type of felony. Financial fraud may not be a threat, but violent or sex offenses raise concerns. Proving danger in court can be expensive. Consider the level of exposure to your child before taking legal action. Talk to a lawyer and your spouse before jumping to conclusions. Communication is key in these situations. Before filing motions, discuss with the other parent and seek legal advice. Make informed decisions for the safety of your children. Got more questions? Let me know! Read more »
Student Loan Debt in Divorce: A Guide for Dads - Part 2
In this video, Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings discusses how student loans are divided in a divorce when both spouses benefited from one partner obtaining a degree. He explains the complexities of determining responsibility for student loan debt, especially in cases where the earning capacity of one spouse was increased as a result of the degree. Hastings emphasizes the importance of having clear agreements in place before divorce proceedings to avoid potential disputes over debt division. If you have questions about this topic, be sure to reach out for more information or stay tuned for a possible part three of this video series. Read more »
Student Loan Debt in Divorce: A Guide for Dads - Part 1
In this blog post, Tulsa father's rights attorney Clint Hastings discusses the complex issue of student loans in divorce cases. He explains that the division of student loan debt can vary depending on the circumstances of each case. Hastings points out that if the loan was used for living expenses for both parties, it may be considered marital debt and split equitably between the spouses. However, if one party took out the loan specifically for their education, the other party may not be responsible for any portion of the debt. Clint Hastings promises to delve further into this topic in his next video, offering more insights on how student loans are divided in divorce proceedings. Read more »
Never Negotiate Alone: Your Attorney Is Here to Guide You
Hi, I'm Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. Today is the second part of a video where I answered whether or not you should negotiate with your wife or mother of your child or children by yourself without an attorney. And the answer to that, my recommendation is no, do not do it. But then this answers the question, can your attorney just tell you what to say to ask your spouse or mother of your child, whether they agree to certain terms. And the answer to that is no, not exactly. So attorneys are not allowed to talk directly with opposing parties when they are represented by counsel. So if they are represented by counsel, we can't just end run that and ignore and cut out opposing counsel by me telling the client exactly what to ask the party. So you can't do it that way. However, if they are not yet represented. Yes, I could tell you what to say, where to go with the conversation. Now, whether or not I think you should do that, my answer is still no. It brings up all the same issues that I answered in the last video of why you should not do those negotiations by yourself. Most likely in most cases. Check out our website. I appreciate the questions along the lines of these two videos, and we'll look for more questions that I hope I can answer in videos. Read more »
Think Twice Before Negotiating With Your Ex Without an Attorney
Clint Hastings, a Tulsa father's rights attorney, advises against negotiating with the mother of your child in a paternity case without legal representation. Emotions can quickly escalate, leading to conflict and potentially damaging outcomes. While some may navigate negotiations successfully on their own, it often results in increased animosity and unresolved issues. In an upcoming video, Clint will address whether your lawyer can guide you on what to say during negotiations. For the best possible outcome and to avoid unnecessary conflict, seeking guidance from a knowledgeable attorney is recommended. Stay tuned for more insights on navigating the complexities of paternity cases. Read more »
More Time with Your Kids: How to Maximize Visitation
Hi, I'm Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. Guys, ask for more visitation than is in your orders or decree. Why? Because you're entitled to it. So, in most orders, in most decrees, it lays out your minimum visitation, assuming you don't have 50-50. Also, it will use language to the effect of other times agreed upon, or it will put a duty on the other party, the custodial parent's duty, to facilitate additional visitation as requested or as best for the child. Sometimes you'll see it worded in different ways, but the point is that the ordered visitation is intended to be a minimum visitation. And the other parent is expected to grant other visitations sometimes. You may have special events. You may just be missing your child more. You may be off work for some reason and have time to do more visitation. It can be a lot of reasons, but it should not be denied unreasonably. But I see parents, and dads, go years, perhaps never, asking for more than the minimum. And part of it is because they do get turned down and they give up. Well, I don't think that's right. Don't give up. Sometimes you will get turned down, and sometimes it's reasonable to. Maybe it's short notice. There may be other plans they have made. Politely tell them that the decree lists the minimum. And if your decree does not say that and you find yourself wanting to have additional visitation quite often, you may look into modifying that. It may be worth the money to do so just to get that language in there. But don't just give up on it. Get a record of them turning it down. And, at some point, maybe you're seeking to modify the custody anyway. And that is a good thing to add to it that, hey, I've asked for this additional visit several times. It was reasonable. I had a reason for it, and she turned it down for no reason, and I have a record of it. Here are the text messages. And that may be enough to tip the scale on modification of custody on other issues. Check out our website. Give us a call for a consultation. Let us know if you have questions, and maybe we'll make a video about your question. Thanks. Read more »
Dividing the Blame: Attorney Insights on Damaged Property
Hello, I'm Tulsa divorce attorney Clint Hastings, specializing in father's rights. Today, let's discuss the concept of fault in regards to damaged personal property during a marriage. Many believe that if their spouse caused damage before separation, they should be financially responsible. However, marital property is typically seen as a joint responsibility. Exceptions may apply if the damage was intentional or aimed at depriving the other party post-divorce. Remember, items broken before divorce proceedings aren't necessarily the other party's sole responsibility. Keep these factors in mind to avoid unnecessary disputes and expenses. Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to our next discussion. Read more »
Can My Wife Take the Kids to Stay with Her Mother after Filing for a Divorce in Oklahoma?
When couples decide to divorce, there are often questions about temporary living arrangements, particularly regarding the children. One of the most common questions is whether one spouse—often the mother—can take the kids to stay with a relative, such as her mother, after filing for divorce. This scenario can raise concerns, especially when both parents want to maintain a close bond with the children during the divorce process. Understanding Oklahoma law regarding temporary relocations can help parents make informed decisions and protect their rights. Read more »
