Best Divorce Lawyers in Oklahoma
Lawrence Goodwin
Divorce Lawyers
I am a criminal defense and family law attorney in Oklahoma City. I was born and raised in this city, and enjoy working in it as well. I graduated from the Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1998. After undergraduate school, I attended OCU’s School of Law and graduated cum laude in 2003. I have memberships with the Oklahoma Bar, the Oklahoma County Bar, as well as the Phi Alpha Delta international law fraternity.
Having lived in Oklahoma City my entire life, I enjoy and am proud to represent my fellow Oklahomans and others in the courtroom. As an OKC lawyer, I pride myself on being a reliable resource for those going through some of the most difficult and challenging times in their lives. Whether you have need of Oklahoma City attorneys for representation during a family law matter or are in need of criminal defense, I enjoy aggressively defending all of my clients and their rights. I have worked a wide array of cases including, but not limited to, divorces, child custody issues, cases with the Department of Human services, and those involving all types of criminal charges. As an Oklahoma City lawyer, I seek to provide you with the information and understanding that you need in any situation related to family law or criminal defense in which you find yourself.
Zayne Whitchurch
Divorce Lawyers
Zayne Whitchurch received his Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University and practices all areas of family law. He has a penchant for no nonsense tactics while being able to relate to the human side of the problems families face, particularly where children are involved.
Zayne has a young family himself, and understands very well and how difficult it can be for parents to juggle the rigors of a job, child care, co-parenting, and child activities while trying to navigate the court system and hold everything together for their kids.
Like the rest of the staff at Putnam Law Office, his directive is to try to resolve cases in the most amicable and cost efficient manner possible without resorting to litigation. However, as litigation sometimes becomes necessary despite best efforts, he and the Putnam Law Office staff will be there to walk clients through the process together…as a team.
Ashley D. Rahill
Divorce Lawyers
Since admission to the bar in 2011, Ashley has been actively involved in the Oklahoma State and County Bar Associations. She was a recipient of the Oklahoma Bar Association President’s Award in 2012 and graduated from the OBA Leadership Academy in 2014.
While in law school, Ashley served on the Dean’s Leadership Council as a student mentor for incoming first year students and was involved with the OU College of Law Criminal Defense Clinic. Ashley was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence award in Legal Research and Writing and the Scribes Legal Writing Award.
Ashley graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. While in undergrad, she received the Valedictorian Honor Scholarship and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Ashley resides in Oklahoma City and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing golf, and watching OU football.
M. Joe Crosthwait
Divorce Lawyers
M. Joe Crosthwait, Jr., received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1971 and his Juris Doctor from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1974. While in law school, he served as president of his class and was employed as a Legal Intern for Oklahoma Attorney General Larry Derryberry.
He took and passed the Oklahoma bar exam before graduating, and, in 1974, upon graduation he was immediately admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association, opened his solo practice in Midwest City.
Among his early accomplishments was establishing and being the first Director of the Legal Assistant Program at Rose State College (what was then Oscar Rose Junior College).
Joe was an early adopter and innovator of technology in the legal profession, having been one of the founding members of the American Bar Association’s Computer Committee and for now nearly four decades closely involved with both the ABA and the Oklahoma Bar Association’s technology efforts.
Joe continues to be recognized by judges and lawyers nationally and statewide for having superb legal skills and the highest ethical standards, as evidenced by his AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Additionally, Joe has been named a Super Lawyer by SuperLawyers.com.
Academically, Joe has been elected to the prestigious American Law Institute, the leading national independent organization of highly qualified lawyers, judges, and law professors, who draft model laws and clarify principles of law and which is highly influential with Congress, state legislatures and courts.
Joe has also been elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession. Membership in the Fellows is limited to one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction.
In order to improve his skills as a lawyer and better assist his clients, Joe became a Certified Financial Planner in 1993, and maintains this certification to this day.
Throughout his career, Joe has regularly taught continuing legal education courses on a state and national level. Joe has also served as President of the Oklahoma County Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association, and the National Conference of Bar Presidents, as well as the Oklahoma City University School of Law Alumni Association. He is also a Sustaining Benefactor Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and served as a trustee of the Foundation for six years.
He serves in the American Bar Association House of Delegates where he continues to serve as a delegate after more than 15 years. He has served the ABA on a wide range of committees and efforts including the first American Bar Association Computer Committee, as well as the Standing Committee on Law and National Security, Chair of the Standing Committee on Solo and Small Firm Practitioners, and the House Committee on Scope and Correlation of Work.
Evan Taylor
Divorce Lawyers
Evan Taylor is a lawyer practicing family and divorce law in Norman, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law and admitted to practice in Oklahoma courts and the Federal Court for Western District of Oklahoma.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Evan Taylor was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia where he taught in Lingua Service Center (LSC) as a native English instructor. He is passionate about technology, and is always looking for new ways to use technology to make lawyering and the law a better experience for himself and his clients.
He and his wife and children live in Norman, Oklahoma.
Evan Taylor participates in a variety of activities. He is a Rotarian and member of Norman Sooner Rotary where he has severed on the co-chairs on the Vocational Committee. Also, he was formerly a member of the Board of Directors the local nonprofit Center for Children and Families, Inc.
Evan Taylor represents men and women across Oklahoma during major life changes with a focus on divorce, family law and probates. Founded in 2005, he has helped hundreds of clients in their transition from conflict to more peaceful lives. His ultimate goal is to provide consistent dedication in understanding and becoming an expert in the facts of your case.
Abbi Slaton
Divorce Lawyers
Abbi is an attorney at Ball Morse Lowe PLLC whose practice is focused on divorce, paternity, and child guardianships. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where she was Problem Writing Director for the Board of Advocates and the Managing Editor of the American Indian Law Review.
Abbi started her career in criminal prosecution, focusing on both domestic violence criminal cases and juvenile deprived cases. Abbi then began practicing family law, and after starting a family of her own, became passionate about the area of family law and has practiced in that area ever since. Her work in this area as led to a dedication to helping individuals through their hardest times, while keeping the best interests of the children at the forefront.
Abbi resides in Norman with her husband and two children.
CHRIS SMITH
Divorce Lawyers
Chris Smith is a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent peer-review-rated attorney that has been recognized as a Journal Record Achiever Under 40 and has been named to the Super Lawyer Rising Star list from 2014-2020 as well as Super Lawyers, in addition to being identified by Best Lawyers in the area of Family Law.
Chris focuses his practice on representing individuals in domestic litigation matters and he understands that business and personal matters are intimately intertwined. As a result, Chris believes an attorney’s full value is only realized when they are a strategic partner in the critical aspects of both business life and personal life.
Chris’ experience combined with his genuine compassion allows him to break down complex legal matters in a relatable way for his clients. He is a tireless advocate for parental equality and helped write 2021’s House Bill 1151 which strengthened the public policy for equal rights for parents in Oklahoma.
He represents individuals located throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and the Western United States in family law and custody litigation and he does not shy away from complicated cases including ones that involve: highly contested custody matters, parental alienation, sexual abuse allegations, high-stakes property division, family businesses, and child support.
Outside of the office Chris is committed to multiple civic organizations, and has served on the board of Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, Oklahoma Christian National Alumni Council and has been a member of the Oklahoma Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Chris is the author of Faithfully: Marriage, Divorce, & Family in the 21st Century Church which is available on Amazon.
Chris and his wife, Marissa, reside in Edmond, Oklahoma with their son, daughter, and dog Rue. The family enjoys being active in their church and various community activities.
lily debrah cruickshank
Divorce Lawyers
Lily Debrah Cruickshank of Lily Debrah Cruickshank & Associates, PLLC, was born in Ghana, Africa, however she grew up in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. Lily Debrah Cruickshank attended Broken Arrow High School. She graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond with a political science degree and a minor in history. At Oklahoma Christian, Lily was very involved; she was a member of the President’s leadership counsel. Lily worked in the admissions office where she was a tour guide for prospective students. Lily Attended the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. While there, she served on the dean’s counsel as well as served as legal intern for the Dean of the law School, Dean Coats as well as Professor Randall Coyne. Lily achieved an amjur, which is the highest grade in the class for Criminal Law. Lily was also awarded the coveted Kerr McGee Scholar, which included a scholarship as well an internship at the legal department for Kerr McGee Corporation.
Lily practices in the areas of family law, divorce, custody, child support, adoptions, father’s rights, post decree modifications, contested divorce, uncontested divorce, waiver divorce, paternity actions, annulments, legal separations, and pre decree modifications. She also practices in the area of estate planning, wills, trusts, advance directives for healthcare, guardianships, as well as personal injury, dog bites, auto accidents, truck accidents, aviation accidents, property damage, and amusement park injuries.
Lily provides her clients with client centered representation. She is in tune with her clients expectations and does not make false empty promises. Lily is mother to a beautiful boy and a wife to her supportive husband. At Lily Debrah Cruickshank & Associates, PLLC we understand that going through a divorce is one of the most life altering situations anyone can be involved in, thereby we do all we can to make the experience as easy as possible by providing our clients with individual representation based on their own individual situation.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Oklahoma can provide significant advantages if you’re going through a divorce. Here are some reasons why having a skilled and experienced attorney is important in this context:
Knowledge of Oklahoma Divorce Laws: Every state has its own specific divorce laws and regulations. Having a lawyer who is well-versed in Oklahoma’s divorce laws ensures that you receive accurate legal advice tailored to your jurisdiction.
Complex Legal Procedures: Divorce involves a range of legal procedures, including filing paperwork, attending court hearings, and negotiating settlements. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through these processes, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken correctly and efficiently.
Property Division: Oklahoma follows an equitable distribution model for property division, which means that marital property is divided fairly, though not necessarily equally. A skilled lawyer can help protect your rights and interests when it comes to dividing assets and debts.
Alimony and Spousal Support: Determining alimony or spousal support can be complex. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and responsibilities related to financial support, whether you’re the one seeking support or the one being asked to pay.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, issues related to child custody and support are crucial. A proficient lawyer can advocate for your parental rights and help you establish custody and visitation arrangements that prioritize the well-being of your children.
Negotiation and Settlement: Divorce often involves negotiations between spouses to reach agreements on various matters. A skilled lawyer can represent your interests during negotiations, striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for you.
Legal Documentation: Divorce requires the preparation and submission of various legal documents. Having an attorney manage these documents ensures accuracy and compliance with the court’s requirements.
Objectivity and Emotional Support: Divorce is an emotionally charged process. A divorce lawyer can provide objective advice, helping you make rational decisions even when emotions are high. They can also offer support and guidance during this difficult time.
Potential Complications: If your divorce involves complex financial situations, business interests, or other legal complexities, having a lawyer who understands these intricacies can be essential in protecting your rights and assets.
Avoiding Mistakes: Divorce documents and legal procedures must be handled carefully to avoid mistakes that could lead to delays or unfavorable outcomes. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these potential pitfalls.
Representation in Court: If your divorce case goes to court, having a skilled lawyer to represent you is crucial. They can present your case effectively, cross-examine witnesses, and make compelling arguments on your behalf.
In summary, the divorce process in Oklahoma can be intricate, and having the best divorce lawyer on your side can provide you with legal expertise, support, and guidance to help you navigate the process while protecting your rights and interests.