When it comes to co-parenting in Oklahoma, the first legal decision to be made is regarding custody. Oklahoma law recognizes two types of custody--legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to which parent is responsible for making decisions about a child’s education, health care, and welfare. Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives with most of the time. In most cases, both legal and physical custody will be shared between the parents, though this is not always the case.
When it comes to co-parenting in Oklahoma, it is also important to understand that each parent has certain parental rights. According to the Oklahoma Code (title 10, section 7110-2-2.2), a parent has the right to make decisions concerning the child’s religious upbringing, school choice, extracurricular activities, and medical care. Parents also have visitation rights, which can be determined as part of a court-ordered agreement.
When it comes to co-parenting in Oklahoma, it is also important to address the issue of child support and co-parenting expenses. Under Oklahoma law (title 10, section 93), the noncustodial parent is required to pay child support to the custodial parent. The amount of child support is based on the parent’s income and the number of children, as well as any other relevant factors.
In addition, the parents may also need to decide how to handle co-parenting expenses such as medical, dental, and educational costs. These expenses can be shared by both parents, or one parent may be responsible for all or part of the costs. The court may also choose to award the parent who has custody of the children with a higher proportion of the co-parenting expenses.
Once the legal matters of custody and child support are settled, co-parenting parents in Oklahoma must create a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a written document which outlines the parents’ shared responsibilities and how they will handle the raising of their children. This document will include a schedule for the children’s time with each parent, a plan for resolving disputes, and any other relevant information.
The parenting plan should also include a plan for visitation rights. Visitation rights refer to the amount of time a noncustodial parent is allowed to spend with their children. This can be determined through a court-ordered agreement or the parents can come up with their own arrangement. Generally speaking, the more reasonable and consistent the visitation schedule is, the better it is for the children and their relationship with both parents.
When it comes to co-parenting in Oklahoma, parents may find it beneficial to use mediation in order to resolve any disputes that may arise between them. Mediation is a process through which a neutral third-party will help the parents come to an agreement. A mediator will help the parents to identify and understand the issues at hand, as well as facilitate open and constructive dialogue between them. Mediation can be a helpful tool for sorting out disputes and can be less expensive and less time consuming than taking an issue to court.
Co-parenting in Oklahoma can be a difficult process, but it can also be a rewarding one. It is important for parents to understand the legal aspects of co-parenting and to take the necessary steps to ensure they are making decisions that are in the best interest of their children. The court can help to make these decisions, but parents should also consider using mediation to work out any issues that may arise. When done properly, co-parenting can be a positive experience for both parents and their children.
Fact Check and Sources
In writing this post, we conducted thorough fact-checking and research, consulting the following sources:
Co-parenting in USA
Co-parenting in Canada
Warning: This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.