How to Keep Your Money in a Divorce in Oklahoma: Do It Over the Internet

December 11, 2021 Awais Ahmed

Divorce is a burdensome procedure from start to finish. Sometimes, couples are not prepared for the “disaster” that is coming their way.

If not planned appropriately, finances can turn out to be the biggest concern in a divorce process. So, if you are getting a divorce in Oklahoma, you should know how to protect yourself financially and avoid wasting thousands of dollars on ending your marriage.Basic Facts About Divorce in Oklahoma

Before filing for divorce in Oklahoma, you should learn some important details of the process. Mistakes you make can lead to additional costs and extend the process. So, take some time to learn about divorce proceedings in the state before taking legal action.

Residency requirements

Spouses seeking a divorce in Oklahoma qualify for filing in the state if at least one of them resided in Oklahoma for six months before the divorce petition is filed. If one or both spouses are in the military, they must be stationed within Oklahoma for at least 6 months before filing to meet residency requirements.

Grounds for divorce

Spouses can file for divorce without claiming either is at fault for ruining the marriage. It’s called a no-fault divorce. Spouses simply state they are incompatible.

However, if there was marital misconduct and the affected party wants the judge to consider it, they can state one of the fault-based reasons for divorce. In Oklahoma, they include:

infidelity;
cruel treatment;
insanity;
impotence;
habitual drunkenness;
imprisonment;
gross neglect of duty;
abandonment for one year;
fraudulent contract;
pregnancy by another man when spouses got married;
one of the spouses got a divorce decree from another state, but it’s not valid in Oklahoma.

However, keep in mind that if you plan to use at-fault reasons for divorce, you must provide evidence to the judge.

How to Save Money During a Divorce In Oklahoma

Divorce can bring significant damage to the financial well-being of spouses if they don’t follow some critical steps. We’ve described them below so that you do not end up in financial ruin.

Choose the right type of divorce

Oklahoma accepts 2 traditional types of divorce: contested and uncontested.

A contested divorce means that spouses have some issues they can’t solve themselves. In this case, they ask the judge to do it. Contested cases are more expensive as spouses hire lawyers to protect their interests.

An uncontested divorce is considered a cheaper option for ending a marriage. The spouses agree on the division of property, resolve child custody and support issues, and negotiate alimony outside the courtroom. Accordingly, they can proceed without an attorney, saving quite a lot of money on legal fees.

Decide on property division amicably

Assets distribution is one of the most complicated aspects of the process. Spouses can get attached to certain things and may not want to divide them. However, it’s inevitable. So, if couples behave maturely and discuss who gets what in advance, the process can be simplified and made less costly.

It’s critical to know which property is marital and separate since only marital property must be divided in Oklahoma. Separate property consists of everything either spouse owned or bought before the marriage. Any property spouses acquire during a marriage is marital property. It can be houses, cars, bank accounts, etc.

Oklahoma is an equitable distribution state. It means that marital property must be divided equitably, which is not necessarily equal.

If spouses are willing to cooperate and want to save their money in the divorce, they can decide how they want to divide marital assets on their own. However, if they can’t, the judge will do it for them. In this case, they will likely need to hire lawyers to represent them in court.

Consider online divorce

Online divorce means preparing divorce documents using online tools. This method of legal paperwork can also be called internet divorce or web divorce.

However, keep in mind that it’s not an actual dissolution of marriage. Only a judge can dissolve your marriage after reviewing the documents you provide. And these documents you can complete online.

If your divorce is uncontested and you have reached an agreement with your spouse, you can check out some online divorce companies. Typically, they provide users with an online questionnaire to gather the necessary information to generate the forms. In most cases, spouses can get their divorce papers within several days.

It’s a quick and affordable do-it-yourself way to complete divorce forms online. The procedure is seamless and smooth. What’s more, you can do it from the comfort of your home. In addition, you can prepare your application for divorce online without legal education since the questionnaire provided is easy to understand.

Getting a clear picture of the cash flow

During a divorce, spouses should focus on their income and budgeting. Getting a clear picture of what you earn and spend can help partners put things in the correct order. It helps make big financial decisions and makes it easy for soon-to-be ex-spouses to live after the divorce.

Check out your credit and financial reports

Couples holding a joint account should check the financial and credit reports for their joint accounts. It will give them an idea of their score and help them prepare financially for divorce and life after it’s finalized.

Conclusion

When going through a divorce, the issue of finance is one of the most challenging. However, if you understand all the details and choose the right strategy, you can manage it without wasting a fortune.

The cost of a divorce depends on the circumstances involved in each matter. If you and your spouse are ready to do it amicably, you can reduce your expenses by using online divorce tools to prepare your paperwork