Practice Area Overview

The Norman Law Office of Cindy Allen, PLLC, represents individuals and families in Cleveland County and surrounding areas in central Oklahoma who have been accused of a crime, or who need assistance in family law matters such as divorce, adoption, paternity, guardianship, wills and trusts, probate, bankruptcy or domestic violence.

Family Law

Our family law practice includes representation in divorce proceedings, including resolving issues of property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. If the parties can agree on these issues between themselves, the court will generally uphold their agreement. If these issues cannot be worked out, the court will make these life-changing decisions based on the evidence presented by both parties and what it deems in the best interest of any children involved. The assistance of a qualified and experienced attorney at either stage is essential to protecting your interests.

Guardianship - We also work extensively in guardianship proceedings. A parent, grandparent or elderly relative may have lost the physical or mental capacity to care for oneself, requiring the intervention of a loved one to make sure the relative is cared for, and that his or her finances and affairs are managed appropriately. If you are not pro-active in seeking guardianship for one who needs it, you may find that the court has appointed a complete stranger with full power and control over the health, safety, property and finances of a loved one.

Adoption - Adoptions are common when one spouse remarries (stepparent adoption) as well as situations where both parents have died or cannot be found (agency adoption). Adopting a minor generally requires the consent of both parents, although only one parent need consent if the other parent has died or has had his or her parental rights terminated. There are, however, many circumstances under which consent is not required, such as, when a parent fails to provide financial support or maintain contact with a child. The laws regarding adoption are lengthy and complex and require the assistance of trained individuals to navigate.

Paternity - Actions to establish paternity or parentage may be brought by the mother, father, or child, or by a support agency or adoption agency. Establishment of paternity enables the father to enjoy all the rights of parenthood which include custody and visitation, as well as all the responsibilities, such as paying child support. Genetic testing is now available as a means of establishing or challenging paternity. Our office can represent you in an action to establish or challenge paternity or if the paternity of the child has already been established, we can help you obtain custody or receive visitation with your child.

Estate Planning

Many people today do not have a will or trust in place; which in the event of an untimely death, can leave family and loved ones confused about how you want your estate distributed, what to do with dependants, and what you desire for burial plans. Estate planning is a design to legally enforce your wishes after death, and have a plan to deal with their assets during life so that their family is not hit with the tax consequences after your death. The law dealing with your assets is constantly changing, making it essential to have an expert plan and attorney to guide you through the complexities of estate planning law.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy laws help people who can no longer pay or have become overwhelmed by their debts. Bankruptcy works by liquidating assets to pay their debts or sometimes creates a repayment plan. A bankruptcy case normally begins by the debtor filing a petition with the bankruptcy court. A petitioner can be filed by the individual, married couple, or by a business or entity. The filer will be required to list all their assets, debts, creditors, and other related financial information. Once the petition is filed it creates an automatic stay, preventing the creditor from collection efforts, garnishing wages, and stopping foreclosure, the stay essentially gives the debtor room to breathe. Having a knowledgeable attorney alleviates the stress of the bankruptcy procedures and adds someone in your corner to help you out of your difficult situation.

Criminal Defense

Our criminal defense practice centers on the representation of normal people who have made mistakes. We specialize in helping those individuals with felony or misdemeanor charges including but not limited to: DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, traffic violations, public intoxication, and other related offenses. Attorney Cindy Allen had years of experience working as a Criminal Prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office before opening her own practice, now representing the public side of law. Our experience and insight allows us to better represent you and help you rectify the mistake you made. In many cases an Expungement of your case is possible, which can literally wipe the slate clean offering you a second chance at a normal life.

Expungement

The State of Oklahoma allows for the expungement of your record under certain circumstances. This means the sealing of criminal arrest records that would typically appear during a criminal background check. The Law Office of Cindy Allen has extensive experience handling expungements in both Cleveland County Oklahoma (Norman, OK) and Oklahoma County Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, OK). We handle both the 991C expungement process and the Section 18/19 full expungements. Don't let mistakes in the past negatively affect your future, call the Law Office of Cindy Allen today.

Whether you need assistance in a family law or criminal law matter, Cindy Allen has the knowledge, experience and determination to fight for your rights and represent your interests to their fullest extent. Contact the Law Office of Cindy Allen, PLLC for a consultation.