Going through a divorce in Oklahoma can be daunting, but there are some myths that make divorce seem scarier than it actually is. If you’ve watched too many movies or read too many gossip magazines, you may believe some myths about divorce that are untrue.
Myth No. 1: Divorce is a court battle
Most divorces do not require long, drawn-out court proceedings, and many divorces never require any court dates at all. Although paperwork is filed at a courthouse, decisions about property division and child custody can be resolved privately. Provided that both parties can agree on the terms, a divorce can be settled without anyone having to testify before a judge.
Myth No. 2: Cheaters always lose
There is a popular myth that a spouse who is adulterous will “lose everything” in a divorce. This is simply not true. Although adultery may have been the cause of a divorce, adultery alone won’t be a factor in decisions about property division or child custody. If an adulterous affair was combined with wasteful spending of marital assets, then it may indirectly affect the division of assets.
Myth No. 3: Children get to choose where they live
Children may express a desire to live with one parent over the other, but this preference is hardly ever the deciding factor in a custody ruling. Judges make custody decisions based on the best interests of the child, which is almost always to maintain their relationships with both of their parents. Judges are also not as biased toward mothers as they used to be, and a father may be awarded equal custody. If one parent fails to make child support payments on time, this will not affect their custody or visitation rights.
Myth No. 4: Divorce is always expensive
Divorce does not have to take a long time and cost a lot of money. A family law attorney may assist a divorcing individual expedite the legal process by helping them determine what is important and settling those matters outside of court.