Understanding Contested Custody Cases in Oklahoma
What does a contested custody case look like in Tulsa, Oklahoma?
Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa family law attorney with the Wirth Law Office. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost eight years, and I want to help make the law easy by explaining what you can expect in a contested custody case.
In Tulsa, whether it’s a contested divorce involving children or a custody case without divorce, the process always begins the same way—with the Parenting Plan Conference, or PPC. Every case involving children starts here. At the PPC, the judge will give you an overview of what to expect moving forward, and you’ll watch a couple of videos on co-parenting during the case.
The Initial Steps in a Custody Case
From there, if you don’t reach an agreement for temporary orders, the next step is a referral to your assigned family law judge for a temporary orders hearing. That hearing usually takes place about 30 days after the PPC, though it can be longer depending on the judge’s schedule.
At the temporary orders hearing, you typically won’t get a full trial with witnesses and extensive evidence. Because the dockets are crowded, most judges only allow each side about 15 to 30 minutes. Instead of full testimony, your attorney will usually make a proffer—essentially explaining what the evidence would show if you had time for a full hearing.
Mediation and Discovery Process
After that, the court will set a scheduling order and send you to mediation. Mediation is designed to help both sides try to resolve the case without going to trial. Leading up to mediation, both sides go through discovery, which is the process of gathering information and evidence from the other party. Discovery helps you and your attorney fully understand what a trial might look like and gives you a stronger position in negotiations.
If mediation doesn’t succeed, the case moves toward trial. That means making sure discovery is complete, resolving any motions, and preparing thoroughly. Your attorney will handle most of the preparation, but you’ll need to provide witness contact information, documents, and any other evidence. Once everything is organized, your attorney will be able to tell the judge at the pretrial conference, “We’re ready for trial,” and the court will set a trial date.
Taking Action
This overview is just a condensed version of what a contested custody case looks like in Tulsa. If you’re about to begin this process, I encourage you to call us. We’ll sit down, go over your situation, and make sure you’re in the best position possible to protect your children.
My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa child custody attorney with the Wirth Law Office, and I want to help make law easy.
Schedule a Low-Cost Strategy Session Today
Take the first step towards resolving your contested custody case smoothly. Contact us for a low-cost initial strategy session. Call 918-879-1681 today to schedule your appointment and ensure the best possible outcome for your family.
