how to file for divorce in oklahoma without an attorney

by Eudora Mosciski 10 min read

How to File For Divorce In Oklahoma Without A Lawyer.

  • Obtain a Divorce Petition by Contacting our staff.
  • File Divorce Petition in your Court Clerk’s office (District Court Clerks Office in County You Reside)
  • Follow our Simple Filing Process, which includes instructions on where to go and who to hand your divorce papers to.
  • Meet with spouse at proper time to sign final documents.
  • Wait statutory waiting period (10 days without kids – 90 days with kids)
  • After Statutory waiting period, submit Divorce Decree to District Court Judge for approval.
  • That’s it! You are divorced the day that the Judge signs your divorce Decree.

Full Answer

How much does an Oklahoma divorce cost?

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Oklahoma All that you need to do is register on the site, complete an online questionnaire, and receive the completed, ready-to-printable papers via email. Print them, sign them, and file them to the local court.

What documents are needed to file for a divorce?

By Elijah Paster, Associate Attorney Attorney Elijah Paster, an experienced family law attorney with Law Group, P.C., reminds divorced parents to make the extra effort to stay active in... Divorce Seminar 2015 Talking About Divorce Radio Show

What are the steps for filing a divorce?

If your divorce is uncontested, use a service like 3StepDivorce.com to file your divorce online. They provide a step by step questionnaire to help you fill out all the paperwork needed based on your situation. Priced at $299, they can save you thousands in legal fees and time.

Do it yourself divorce in Oklahoma?

Mar 31, 2016 · You must live in Oklahoma for 6 months before you can file for divorce. You must file your case in the county in which your spouse lives, or in which you have lived at least 30 days. Child Custody. The court will decide who gets custody of any children born to you and your spouse, even if the children were born before your marriage.

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How much does it cost to file for a divorce in Oklahoma?

How much does it cost to file for a divorce in Oklahoma? Fees to file for divorce in Oklahoma will vary slightly from county to county, but will be around $180 to $185. This is for a filing without any minor children. There are also additional fees if the paperwork needs to be served by a process server or a sheriff.Feb 23, 2021

Can you file for divorce without a lawyer in Oklahoma?

You can get an uncontested divorce (known as "dissolution of marriage" in Oklahoma) if you and your spouse can agree on how you'll handle the issues involved in ending a marriage, rather than going to trial and having a judge decide for you.

What forms do I need to file for divorce in Oklahoma?

Divorce Forms and Divorce PapersPetition for Dissolution of Marriage Form (click for more info)Entry of Appearance and Waiver of Service.UCCJEA AFFIDAVIT.Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.Custody Plan.Visitation Schedule.Child Support Computation.Qualified Domestic Relations Order.More items...

How do I get a free divorce in Oklahoma?

If you cannot afford court costs, you can file a pauper's affidavit. A pauper's affidavit is a form that summarizes your financial situation. If the judge decides that you cannot afford to pay court costs, he or she will let you file your case for free. The best way to obtain a divorce is to hire an attorney.

Can I file for divorce online in Oklahoma?

Valid grounds to get divorce in Oklahoma Grounds for an online divorce using OnlineDivorce.com are the same as they would be for any divorce within the State of Oklahoma. Grounds are merely the reason for divorce, and the state must approve them.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma imposes a 10-day waiting period before a divorce without minor children can be granted. Likewise, Oklahoma imposes a 90-day waiting period before a divorce with minor children can be granted. However, each case is unique and the time frame from beginning to end of any given case varies.

How do I start a divorce in Oklahoma?

To start a divorce, you must file papers with the court. You then must have copies of the papers delivered to your spouse. If you cannot locate your spouse, you can publish notice in a local newspaper. If you have children, there is a 90-day waiting period before you can get a divorce.

Does Oklahoma require marriage counseling before divorce?

You will be required to attend, pay for the course, and submit proof of completion to the court before your divorce can be finalized. This is a state mandated requirement. Otherwise, some couples who legally separate may choose to seek counseling, but it is not typically required outside of parenting classes.Jun 4, 2021

Do I have to go to court for uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce usually takes less time because there is no need for you or your spouse to go to court and argue the case. If you have minor children, finalizing the divorce this way would be ideal.Jun 11, 2020

How long after divorce can you remarry in Oklahoma?

six monthsAfter a divorce of dissolution of a marriage, how long do I have to wait before I remarried? Under Oklahoma law, you have to wait at least six months to remarry after your Oklahoma divorce decree is finalized.Sep 15, 2020

How do you get a legal separation in Oklahoma?

Legal Separation Basics The spouse seeking a separation must file a petition and affidavit with the court. You do not have to prove "grounds" or reasons for the breakup to obtain a separation. Like a no-fault divorce, a judge may grant a legal separation on no-fault grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Is adultery a crime in Oklahoma?

Adultery is a felony in Oklahoma, punishable by up to 5 years in prison or up to a $500 fine. ... Although adultery is a crime in Oklahoma, it may not impact your divorce the way you think it will. Oklahoma changed from a "fault" to a "no-fault" divorce state in 1975.

CLICK HERE TO GET A CHEAP DIVORCE IN OKLAHOMA ONLINE!

Are you wondering how to file for divorce in Oklahoma without a lawyer? The information here should give you the resources you need to file for divorce in Oklahoma without a lawyer. Articles-On-Divorce actually provides a services whereby our staff will draft all necessary divorce paperwork needed in order to file your divorce.

Documents Needed To File For Divorce

According to Oklahoma County Court Clerk’s office you will need the following documents to file for divorce in Oklahoma without a lawyer. These documents might not be the whole total of what is needed, but regardless, this is how to file for divorce in Oklahoma without a lawyer.

How to File For Divorce In Oklahoma Without A Lawyer

How to file for divorce in Oklahoma without a Lawyer can be a tough question to answer. Therefore, we have prepared a short summary of the process. When you become our customer, we will actually go into great detail to help you with the entire process. The resources provided from our staff are invaluable.

Get Your Divorce Forms Completed Online

Let us provide you with all the necessary divorce papers. Just answer a questionnaire at the website, and, based on your information, we will complete all the forms, taking into account the peculiarities of your case as well as Oklahoma divorce laws and the regulations of your county.

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Oklahoma

All that you need to do is register on the site, complete an online questionnaire, and receive the completed, ready-to-printable papers via email. Print them, sign them, and file them to the local court. And we are here to help you if you have any questions concerning the filing process.

What is the legal process for a divorce in Oklahoma?

In person—A licensed, professional process server or county sheriff is the usual means of serving your divorce papers to your spouse. The server must note the time and date of service.

What documents do I need to file for divorce in Oklahoma?

You must prepare and submit the following documents: Domestic Relations Cover Sheet. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Entry of Appearance and Waiver of Service.

What are the main points of contention in divorce cases?

The major points of contention in most divorce cases involve issues of property division, child custody or spousal support. If you and your spouse fail to come to an agreement on these issues, you should know how Oklahoma courts often rule.

What happens if my spouse files a counterclaim to my divorce?

If your spouse files a Counterclaim to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage which disputes various aspects of the Petition, then the court will likely have to step in and make decisions regarding contested issues. The court will issue summons to both parties to attend a hearing, which will identify disputed issues, and if you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement, you will proceed to a trial.

What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to my divorce petition?

If your spouse does not provide any response to the divorce petition, then the judge will assume that the Respondent has abdicated any right to participate in the case. The judge will probably grant many or all of the requests by the petitioner regarding child custody, support and property distribution in the original petition.

What is alternative dispute resolution in Oklahoma?

The state of Oklahoma offers couples who are considering a divorce the opportunity to use Alternative Dispute Resolution services. Mediators are independent, conflict resolution professionals with expertise in resolving personal issues. Although they may not have the legal authority to force a couple to remain married, mediators often produce compromises that minimize animosity and expedite the divorce process. A court may appoint or recommend a mediator before or during a divorce proceeding.

How to serve your spouse if you can't reach them?

If you are unable to reach your spouse, you may still proceed with the divorce as long as you made an honest and reasonable effort to serve them. Then you may provide service of Divorce by Publication by submitting an Affidavit of Diligent Search to the court and, upon approval, publishing notice in a local newspaper.

How long do you have to live in Oklahoma to file for divorce?

You must live in Oklahoma for 6 months before you can file for divorce. You must file your case in the county in which your spouse lives, or in which you have lived at least 30 days.

What are the grounds for divorce?

To get a divorce, you must show that there are grounds for divorce. The most common ground is incompatibility. You and your spouse are incompatible if at least one of you is willing to testify that you cannot get along and that you want a divorce. Other common grounds include abandonment for one year and adultery.

What to do if you can't afford court costs?

If you cannot afford court costs, you can file a pauper's affidavit. A pauper's affidavit is a form that summarizes your financial situation. If the judge decides that you cannot afford to pay court costs, he or she will let you file your case for free.

What are the grounds for a judge to restrict visitation?

Grounds for restricting visitation include drug use, abuse of the children, abuse of the other parent, and alcohol problems.

How to find out if you are getting alimony?

The best way to find out about alimony is to ask an attorney for an opinion .

What happens if you can't agree on custody?

If you cannot reach an agreement on custody, the court will hold a trial and decide what is in the best interests of the children. Some judges will require you to go to mediation, where a neutral third person tries to help you agree. Sometimes, couples agree to joint custody, which means they both will decide together all major decisions affecting ...

Can a parent with custody of a child have a visitation order?

Usually, the parent who does not get custody of the children gets visitation rights. Visitation often provides contact with the children every other weekend, every other major holiday, and an extended time in the summer but visitation orders vary. If the parent without custody is considered dangerous to the children, the judge may restrict visitation, or require that it be supervised. Grounds for restricting visitation include drug use, abuse of the children, abuse of the other parent, and alcohol problems.

How long does it take to file a response to a divorce in Oklahoma?

After your spouse is served, he/she has twenty days to file a response with the court clerk, and send the response to you. If your spouse files a response, you have a contested divorce. Because the forms on this site are no contest divorce forms for Oklahoma, these forms will not work for a contested divorce.

How to get divorce decree without minor children?

​. If your spouse is willing to sign an agreed decree, fill out one of the above forms, whichever is appropriate for your case. Sign the form, and have your spouse sign the form.

How to get a copy of a court order?

Then, fill in the date on the certificate of mailing. File the original order with the court clerk, and ask the court clerk to make you a copy.

What happens if my spouse doesn't respond to my divorce?

If your spouse does not file a response within twenty days, your spouse is in default. You will be able to get a default judgment. However, if you have children, you will have to take a class called "Helping Children Cope with Divorce" before you can get a default judgment.

How to get a copy of a summons?

Go to the court clerk’s office. File the petition, the summons, and the civil cover sheet. You should make several copies of each document. The court clerk will keep the original petition in the court records, and the clerk will stamp the copies and give the copies back to you.

What is the next step in divorce?

If you and your spouse are able to work out an agreement, the next step is to take a class called "Helping Children Cope with Divorce.". This case is required for parents in most divorce cases, with children, in Oklahoma. Both you and your spouse must take this course.

Can an attorney prepare a divorce form?

Only an attorney can prepare divorce forms that are precisely tailored to meet your needs. If you believe these forms will not work for your case, consult an attorney. These are Oklahoma divorce forms; the forms here will not work for other states. Divorce laws are different in every state. Free Oklahoma Divorce Forms, and Instructions ...

What is serving your divorce papers in Oklahoma?

Serving Your Forms. Under Oklahoma law, you must provide copies of all documents to the non-filing spouse, referred to as "service" of the divorce paperwork. To achieve "service" you can use the sheriff's department or hire a process server to deliver the documents in person. You will be responsible for any service fees.

How long do you have to live in Oklahoma to file for divorce?

To file either kind of divorce, at least one spouse must have resided in the state for at least six months. Additionally, one of you must have live in the county where you plan to file for at least 30 days. See 43 O.K. Stat. §43-102 (2019). Oklahoma also has some relatively unique waiting periods for family law cases.

What is the name of the document that states that all information included in a divorce petition is true?

To file your case, the filing party must prepare a "petition" (written request for divorce), which must be accompanied by an "affidavit" (written declaration) in which he or she swears that all information included in the petition is true.

How long do you have to wait to remarry after divorce?

This waiting period can be waived for good cause or if both sides agree to the waiver. You must also wait at least six months to remarry after your divorce has been granted. The six-month rule does not apply if you remarry your former spouse or your ex passes away before the waiting period has expired.

How long does it take to get divorce in Oklahoma?

If you have children under the age of 18, the court won't grant your final divorce until at least three months from the date you file. This waiting period can be waived for good cause or if both sides agree to the waiver.

What is service in Oklahoma?

Under Oklahoma law, you must provide copies of all documents to the non-filing spouse, referred to as "service" of the divorce paperwork. To achieve "service" you can use the sheriff's department or hire a process server to deliver the documents in person. You will be responsible for any service fees.

How long can you be in jail for gross neglect of duty?

gross neglect of duty (failing to provide financially for the other person) imprisonment for a felony conviction, or. insanity for a period of at least five years. As in the majority of states, no-fault divorce is the more popular option in Oklahoma.

How to get divorced in Oklahoma?

To get divorced in Oklahoma, you must be able to prove that you are married. For most people, this means getting a copy of your marriage certificate. However, since Oklahoma recognizes common law marriage, you can also get a divorce if you can prove that you were in a common-law marriage.

How long do you have to live in Oklahoma to get divorced?

3. Identify the district court where you'll need to file your petition. You must have lived in Oklahoma for at least 6 months before you can file for divorce in any state court. Generally, you'll file your petition for divorce in the county where you live.

How long can you stay with your ex spouse in Oklahoma?

Neither you nor your former spouse is allowed to remarry or cohabit with another person in the state of Oklahoma for 6 months after the judge enters the divorce decree. Remarriage within this period is considered bigamy, cohabitation is considered adultery. Both violate state law.

How much does it cost to serve your spouse in Oklahoma?

Serve your spouse with your divorce petition and the summons. You can pay an extra fee (typically $30 to $50) to have a sheriff's deputy deliver your documents to your spouse. However, in Oklahoma, personal service is not required for divorce cases.

How long does it take to file a divorce petition?

If your spouse plans to contest your petition for divorce, they must file a written answer with the court within 20 days of being served with your petition. You (or your attorney, if you've hired one) will be served with their answer.

What is a parenting class?

The class deals with parenting time, child support, and the emotional challenges for children during a divorce. The cost of the class is included in your filing fees. You and your spouse do not have to attend the class at the same time if you don't feel comfortable doing so.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 1,765 times.

How to file for divorce without an attorney?

To file for divorce without an attorney, talk it through with your spouse beforehand, if you can, to divide up assets and debts and discuss custody of children, if you have any. Go online or visit your county clerk's office to get the forms you'll need, like the petition for divorce and summons.

What to do if you cannot agree on a divorce?

If you cannot agree, you are likely to need the assistance of an attorney to protect your interests. Decide if a pro se divorce is appropriate for your situation. While some situations are easily handled on a pro se basis, others are far too complex to be handled pro se.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

In most jurisdictions, the filing fee ranges from $100.00 to $300.00. If you cannot afford to pay the court’s filing fee, you may be able to ask the court to waive the normal filing fee.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced?

Many states have waiting periods before your divorce can be granted. This waiting period may be as little as 60 days or as long as six months. If you and your spouse have minor children together, your state laws or local court rules may require you both to attend a parenting class for divorced or separated parents.

What is a provisional hearing?

For instance, you may have a provisional or preliminary hearing, which deals with temporary orders, usually dealing with children and possession of the marital residence and vehicles, while your divorce is going on. You may also have a final divorce hearing, at which the court is likely to grant your divorce.

Where to file divorce petition?

File the necessary forms with the clerk’s office. This is the first step to formally placing your divorce petition on file with the court. The clerk’s office will require you to file a certain number of copies of the documents, along with the original documents.

Do you have children together if you are married?

You have been married for a relatively short period of time. You have no children together, or you and your spouse agree on all matters relating to the child (ren), including custody, visitation, and child support. You and your spouse don't have a lot of money, marital property, or shared debt to divide.

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Can I File For Divorce in Oklahoma Without A Lawyer?

  • Answer. Yes. You can represent yourself Pro Se, which is Latin and means “for self.” We will draft the documents you need to file at your request! We will provide step-by-step filing instructions so that you understand how to file, where to file, and who to see at the Court Clerk’s office. We will …
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Helpful Hints!

  • Be sure to have your Spouse sign the RESPONDENT SIGNATURE line on the back page of the Decree. DO NOT NOTARIZE IT!!! Be sure to dress appropriately and modest. Don't be nervous, relax, relief is almost here! Don't complicate the filing instructions! It really is simple, you just have slow down and FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! "important!" Remember, file the Petition with the Court …
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does My Spouse Have to Appear in Court?
    No. In MOST CASES we handle, the spouse signs a WAIVER of APPEARANCE, because both parties agree to the terms of the divorce.
  • What Am I "Entitled To"?
    We cannot answer questions that are deamed as "Legal Advice", because we do not employ attorneys. We can simply draft the documents and instruct you as to which document you file first and where you go to file. We can, however either direct you to an attorney if you have a question …
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Changes in Oklahoma Divorce Procedures and Laws

  • We closely monitor all changes to Oklahoma divorce laws and statutes. From time to time, the Oklahoma legislature makes new rules that directly impact the procedures for filing for divorce. Our attention to detail is one of the #1 reason a person should consider hiring us to draft your Oklahoma Uncontested Divorce Forms. The most important consideration when comparing divo…
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