Family Law

Attorney Clint Hastings addresses the tricky issue of including signing bonuses in child support calculations. While one-time hefty bonuses are often treated differently by judges, regular bonuses may be factored into your gross income. If you believe certain bonuses shouldn’t count, it’s up to you and your lawyer to present a compelling case to the judge. Factors like reliability and predictability of bonuses play into the decision-making process. For specific advice on your situation, consider reaching out for a consultation with an attorney specializing in father’s rights. For more information, visit their website for valuable insights before making any decisions.

A recurring question I get is, does my overtime pay count in the child support calculation? The answer is if you get seldom overtime and let’s say it doesn’t add a lot to your gross income, then it’s not going to count. If it’s kind of, you know, maybe a little more than seldom, but not very much, it still may not count. If you get it often and it’s recurring on a regular basis, then that will count towards your gross child support income. Now there’s no hard and fast rule on this. It’s ultimately left to a judge to decide what they think is equitable and fair to count. And you, you know, you might imagine or think through it that, let’s say your wife or whoever the mother of your child, let’s say is, gets overtime all the time, well you would want that to count, right?

Child support does not automatically end at the age of 18. It’s 18 or if 18 until graduates high school or if remains enrolled in high school until the age of 20. Now there are some other extenuating exceptions where say special needs cases and such where child support can actually go even longer than that, but the general rule is until the child is 18 graduates high school or until 20 whichever is the latter.

This is part two of a series discussing what records—medical, school, or otherwise—you’re entitled to as a non-custodial parent. Specifically, this video answers the question: What can you do if you’re being wrongfully blocked from accessing your child’s records? Let’s say you call the doctor’s office or show up in person to request your child’s records, and they tell you that the child’s mother has instructed them not to give you access. Here’s what to do: Politely inform them of your rights under Oklahoma Statute 43 O.S. § 109.6, which grants both parents access to these records unless a court order says otherwise. If they’re unsure, bring a copy of the statute with you. In many cases, that’s enough to resolve the issue. If they still refuse to comply, it’s time to get an attorney involved. We’ll send a notice explaining the law and warning of legal action. If that doesn’t work, we can file a motion with the court to enforce your rights and obtain a court order requiring the provider or institution to release the records. Most of the time, these issues resolve with just a little legal pressure. But if the other parent is intentionally interfering, the court takes that seriously. A judge may consider it negatively in a custody modification or enforcement case. And if there’s already a custody order in place and she continues to block access, you may be able to pursue a contempt action—potentially resulting in penalties or attorney’s fees.

Today, let’s talk about what to do when your child doesn’t want to go to visitation with their mother. The first thing you need to figure out is why. Is there something going on between them? Are they upset about something? Or is it just that they’d rather stay home and play Xbox or hang out with a friend? You’ve got to dig into the reason—especially if it’s something like a conflict in schedules or a one-off issue. That may be easier to fix. If it’s more serious—like emotional distress or a falling out—you’ll need to consider some deeper solutions, like involving a reconciliation therapist. A therapist can help figure out what’s really going on and may spot signs of fear, anxiety, or discomfort in your child that need to be addressed.

In today’s video, a Tulsa attorney answers a listener’s question about protective orders and custody rights. He explains how a protective order can negatively impact custody decisions, shifting the burden of proof onto the affected parent. The attorney warns against assuming a protective order will simply go away, as it could be a precursor to divorce proceedings or a custody battle. He emphasizes the importance of challenging false allegations effectively in court to protect custody rights. For more insights on this topic, visit the attorney’s website and consider reaching out with any further questions.

Today’s video focuses on what to do if DHS is involved in allegations regarding your child, especially if they are discussing removing your child from your home. It’s crucial to contact an attorney immediately for legal guidance to protect your rights and avoid saying anything incriminating. Even if you’ve already spoken with DHS, you can still pause and request legal counsel before continuing. Stand firm in asserting your right to legal representation, as this is about your child, family, and future. For further resources and information, visit their website. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions for future videos.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!