Unlike several neighboring states, Oklahoma imposes no mandatory waiting period between filing for divorce and receiving a final decree — once the statutory requirements are met and the parties are in agreement or the court has resolved disputed issues, the marriage can be dissolved. Oklahoma does require that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for six months before filing, a threshold that can create complications for recently relocated military families or couples who have recently moved to or from Oklahoma. Divorce cases in Oklahoma are filed in the district court of the county where either spouse resides.

Oklahoma is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state, meaning that marital property is divided based on what the court determines to be fair given the circumstances of the marriage — not necessarily on an equal 50/50 basis. The governing statute is 43 O.S. § 121, and courts consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial contributions, and the economic circumstances of each party at the time of division. Spousal support, known in Oklahoma as alimony, may be awarded in either a lump sum or periodic payments, but it is not automatic. Child custody and child support are resolved separately under the best interest standard and the Oklahoma Child Support Guidelines. ReachAttorneys.com connects Oklahomans with divorce attorneys across all 77 counties.