When Children Are Involved

You love your children and you will do what is necessary to protect them from the ugliness of the divorce process. Oklahoma law makers understand what you and your children are experiencing and they have incorporated two additional steps into the divorce process that are designed to help your children make the adjustment throughout the divorce process.

Additional Step #1 - Parenting Plan Conference. Each district court refers to this step by a different name. In Tulsa County District Court it is called the 'Parenting Plan Conference'. In Wagoner County District Court it is called 'Family Orientation'. The purpose of this step is to bring you and your spouse together face to face and hopefully facilitate a temporary agreement between the two of you on the child custody issue.

During this step, the judge will explain to you and your spouse that the divorce process can be very difficult, especially for the children, and he will encourage you to negotiate a settlement outside of court. Once the judge is finished, you and your spouse will have the option to step out of the court room to discuss the proposed terms of a temporary agreement.

Additional Step #2 - Helping Children Cope with Divorce. This is a Saturday morning class that lasts three (3) to four (4) hours. The purpose of this class is to teach parents how to be understanding of the children’s needs throughout the divorce process. It costs $50.00 to enroll. In Tulsa County, you can enroll by contacting Family and Children Services at their website http://www.fcsok.org or by calling them at (918) 587-9471.

Tulsa Divorce Attorney Matt Ingham is the owner and founder of Bulldog Divorce: Law Office of Matt Ingham. If you have questions or comments you can contact him by clicking here… or by calling (918) Bulldog.