Oklahoma Divorce Self-Help Tools

If there are no minor children, a divorce can be granted 10 days after filing. If minor children are involved, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period, which can be waived under special circumstances. Most divorces are finalized within six months to a year, depending on complexity and agreement between parties.

No, you are not legally required to have a lawyer. However, it is highly recommended, especially in contested cases or those involving children or significant assets, as the legal process can be complex.

Yes, Oklahoma is a no-fault divorce state, meaning incompatibility is a sufficient ground for divorce. However, fault-based grounds like abandonment, adultery, or extreme cruelty can still be alleged and may influence certain aspects of the divorce, such as property division or alimony.

Oklahoma follows the principle of equitable distribution. This means marital property and debts acquired during the marriage are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, between the spouses. The court considers various factors to achieve a just and reasonable division.

A covenant marriage, as proposed by Oklahoma Senate Bill 228, would be an optional marriage type requiring premarital counseling and making divorce more difficult. It would require proof of wrongdoing for divorce and marital counseling, and offers a $2,500 tax credit for those who opt in.