Do You Need an Attorney for an Uncontested Divorce with Minimal Assets?

Uncontested Divorce in Oklahoma: Attorney Needed?

Do you need an attorney for an uncontested divorce with minimal assets in Oklahoma, or can you just fill out some forms?

I’m Tulsa family law attorney James Wirth, and that’s the question we have today.

So, do you need an attorney? If it’s uncontested and there are minimal assets, can you simply complete some paperwork and file it yourself? Unfortunately, it’s usually not that simple.

The Role of an Attorney in Uncontested Divorces

First, you are not required to have an attorney. You absolutely have the right to represent yourself. But just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. Divorce cases can get complicated quickly, and if you don’t know how to handle unexpected issues, it can end up working against you.

That said, two things in your situation make it seem less complicated: (1) there are minimal assets, and (2) it’s uncontested—the parties are in agreement. Those factors can make the process simpler.

Filing Documents in Oklahoma

Now, to the second part of your question: can you just fill out some forms? Unlike some states, such as California, Oklahoma does not have standardized fill-in-the-blank divorce forms you can pick up at the courthouse. You won’t find a ready-made packet of paperwork. If you represent yourself, you’re responsible for drafting your own documents from scratch. Those documents must comply with state statutes, local court rules, and be tailored to your specific circumstances. If they aren’t done correctly, you may run into problems.

So, what are your options?

1. 1. 1. 1. Draft everything yourself. You can research prior court filings, which are public records available on oscn.net, and use them as examples. But this requires careful work, and it’s easy to miss details.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Use a drafting service. If the divorce is uncontested and there aren’t significant assets, you may be able to hire a drafting service to prepare the paperwork. Then, you represent yourself in court. This can work smoothly in many cases.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. Hire an attorney. This ensures your paperwork is correct and that any unusual circumstances are handled properly. Even if things seem straightforward, an attorney can spot potential issues before they cause problems.

 

Making the Right Decision for Your Divorce

So yes, you can technically do it yourself, but it may not be practical. At the very least, I recommend consulting with a Tulsa divorce attorney privately and confidentially to make sure there aren’t unique issues in your case that could cause trouble.

Schedule a Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session

To schedule an appointment with an attorney at my office, go online to MakeLawEasy.com or call us at 918-879-1681. Take the first step to ensure your uncontested divorce proceeds smoothly and efficiently.