In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a divorce court will continue to maintain jurisdiction over a divorce with children involved long past the date that the divorce decree is granted. The court can issue an Oklahoma child support modification, or other orders such as a change in custody, if the circumstances warrant it.
In Tulsa, a court can maintain jurisdiction until the last child of the union turns 18 years of age.
How Does the Court Decide Support Amounts?
As part of the original divorce decree, the court will award custody, support, and visitation based on a number of circumstances.
Although the Oklahoma statutes provide guidelines for the computation of child support, in determining support, the court may look at more than the computations listed. (Okla. Stat. tit. 43 §§ 118, 119)
The guidelines provide a presumption that the court may deviate from if the amount of support is unjust, inequitable, unreasonable, or inappropriate. (Okla. Stat. tit. 43 § 118.8)
Other factors for the court’s consideration are the number of children involved, the amount of support that a parent might need to pay for other children, how much time the child spends with each parent, transportation costs, and the like.
FAQ: Oklahoma Child Support Modification
At its heart, the statute attempts, as much as possible, to shield children from the financial fallout of divorce by allowing the children to be supported after the divorce in much the same manner as they were before the divorce.
When a parent’s income increases or decreases substantially, the amount of support may need to be modified in order to remain just and reasonable under the circumstances. If the amount of the increase is insubstantial, then an Oklahoma child support modification may not be approved.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Child Support Attorney
Your choice of an Oklahoma divorce attorney is critical, especially regarding any issues about child support in Tulsa. Before you retain our family law attorneys, you are invited to have a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to help you determine whether our family law services can meet your particular needs.
For a free consultation with a Tulsa child support attorney about your concerns, call the Divorce Law Office of Tulsa today at 918-924-5526.
