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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Freedom from the Billable Hour

  Posted in Advice

Do you hesitate to call your attorney because you know you will be billed for the phone call? Do you avoid face-to-face meetings, planning and strategy sessions with your lawyer out of concern for cost? Do you seek a quick resolution to your legal matter at as low a cost as possible?  Lawyers typically charge for their services by contingency […]

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How can I plan for the financial impact of my divorce?

  Posted in Advice

Start with budgeting. Divorce often means spouses must now allocate the same income over two households instead of one. Without a commitment to preparation of realistic budgets, negotiations can quickly degenerate into adversarial proceedings. Budgets enable you to discuss alimony and child support from a factual perspective. Sites such as FamilyLawSoftware offer tools to aid you, your lawyer or financial […]

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Is Collaborative Divorce the same as Mediation?

  Posted in Divorce

No. In mediation, the mediator facilitates negotiations, but doesn’t represent either spouse, can’t give legal advice, and can’t be an advocate for either spouse. In a Collaborative Divorce, each spouse hires a lawyer (and sometimes mental health and financial professionals) to represent him or her during the process, but with settlement as the goal. Their job is to work together […]

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How can I better coordinate parenting activities with my ex-spouse?

  Posted in Divorce

Scheduling children’s activities with an ex-spouse can be a source of conflict. Fortunately, subscription services at sites such as www.custodyagreement.kids-first.com and www.jointparents.com can help. Joint parenting time, holidays, birthdays and other events can be coordinated on-line. This can reduce anxiety for both parents. Less stress on you means less stress on your children. We can’t change the fact people divorce. […]

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What is the law on cell phone use while driving?

  Posted in Accidents

No specific restrictions are in place yet. In 2002, Oklahoma legislators passed a law taking control of this area. This prevents cities from passing local ordinances more restrictive than state law. Data suggests such laws are merited and other states are placing restrictions on cell phone use while driving. According to a recent NHTSA study, almost 80% of crashes involved […]

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What are the legal requirements for riding a bicycle at night in Oklahoma?

  Posted in Accidents

Lights must be used if you are riding on a roadway with a speed limit over 25 mph. Like a motor vehicle, they must be used from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, or whenever other vehicles are not clearly visible at a distance of 1,000 feet. Front lamps must be white and rear lamps must be […]

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What’s the law on pedestrians in crosswalks?

  Posted in Accidents

In Oklahoma pedestrians must cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. A driver must yield the right-of-way when a pedestrian is within a crosswalk and upon the same half of the road as the driver or when the pedestrian is approaching closely from the other side of the road. If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, a driver approaching the […]

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What’s the Three Foot Law?

  Posted in Accidents

In 2006, Oklahoma joined a growing number of states concerned with the rights and safety of bicyclists and enacted a three foot law. Under Oklahoma law cyclists are to ride on the right-hand side of the roadway with the normal flow of traffic. When overtaking and passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction, a motorist is required to leave […]

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While riding my bike, a motorist buzzed me and yelled “Get off the road!” What should I do?

  Posted in Accidents

Reasons for cyclist harassment vary. Some motorists think cyclists have no right to the roads – which, under Oklahoma, is wrong. Whatever the reason for harassment, avoid escalating the conflict. A cyclist is at a decided disadvantage against a motor vehicle. Maintain a level head, take a snapshot on your cell phone, memorize the license plate and report it to […]

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What’s the Bicycle Commuter Act?

  Posted in Resources

The Bicycle Commuter Act was added to the Internal Revenue Code as a part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. It creates a qualified transportation fringe benefit employers may offer if they choose to do so. Under qualifying circumstances an employer may reimburse an employee up to $240 per year, and the employee may deduct that reimbursement from […]

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