Causes of Action

When I was in law school we learned about what are called "causes of actions". This generally means a set of facts that entitles one person to sue another for money or other remedy.  One of my favorites has always been burglary, because in order to have a cause of action for the crime of buglary (under the old English law) there had to be the following:

1. Breaking and entering
2. By night
3. A dwelling of another
4. with the intent to commit a felony therein

Why this is important? Because if one of the facts is missing then I am not guilty. For example, if I didn't enter at night, then technically it is not a burglary. Tough for you, I broke into your house at 12 p.m. (Modern law has closed all these loop holes)

Students get taught that identifying facts that support a cause of action is how the law works. 

Family law is quite different in this regard because we are mainly deciding issues of status. So in order to have a divorce, for example, the only question is: Are you married? In order to decide issues of child custody or support, the only question is: Are you a parent? A yes or no to these simple questions determine the cause of action and whether it can be brought. 

New Year, New Decisions

Do you know that starting a new relationship while your divorce is still in process can cause consequences to your case? Do you know the nine magic word answer to use in court just in case you might think of more information at another time? Also, do you know that a divorce case in Cleveland County typically takes about 200 days?

Answers to these questions and others are available on our website at one location for your convenience. The divorce process is a long and complicated one, but we want to provide you with the right information to keep you informed and in control. 

Our resources page is constantly being updated with articles that can assist you during your family law case. If you have a question that is not already answered on our website, please feel free to email us at contact@evantaylorlawoffice.com.

Vanity. Definitely my Favorite Sin

At the close of the the 1997 film, Devil's Advocate, Al Pacino, playing Satan, closes with this line:

From the Super Lawyers website

Vanity. Definitely my favorite sin.

There's no surprise that Devil's Advocate was about lawyers. What's funny though is that there is an industry built around exploiting this "sin".

For weeks I have been dodging a really official sounding woman - better to say, saleswoman - calling to congratulate me on being selected to be included in their Super Lawyers list. I didn't know I was up for this honor. Who did this to me! Reveal yourself!

Today, I got a copy of the Oklahoma edition of the Super Lawyers magazine. So I guess they have different magazine for each jurisdiction. (too many super lawyers for just one publication)

I also got the most important part of the Super Lawyers honor in the form of an opportunity to order my own certificate for $ 199 plus $ 16 shipping and handling or $ 259 plus $ 20 shipping and handling for a plaque.

Hey, this isn't just for lawyers. Have you ever been in the newspaper? There is a company out there that will frame your story, and send it to you. I did this once and the plaque is leaning against the wall in the office. Come see it, I'm important and so are you- but I have a plaque.

Heartless and Malignant Punishment

Mark Twain wrote in The Innocence Abroad:

At certain periods it becomes the dearest ambition of a man to keep a faithful record of his performances in a book; and he dashes at this work with an enthusiasm that imposes on him the notion that keeping a journal is the veriest pastime in the world, and the pleasantest. But if he only lives twenty-one days, he will find out that only those rare natures that are made up of pluck, endurance, devotion to duty for duty's sake, and invincible determination, may hope to venture upon so tremendous an enterprise as the keeping of a journal and not sustain a shameful defeat.

This Blog is a record of my performance, puzzles, and problems from my life's work. That life's work is the practice of Divorce and Family law in Norman, Oklahoma. I've been in the practice of law for almost 10 years, with the vast majority of it grinding the Family Law mill in my own office right off Legacy Trail in Norman.

This is my world from my eyes and my life.

Why Divorce Hacker? I chose the word hacker for its meaning in the programmer subculture of someone who "who combines excellence, playfulness, cleverness and exploration in performed activities" and I am a Divorce Attorney. The practice of Family Law needs more excellence, playfulness and cleverness to make it more rewarding - and since this is my life's work,this is my attempt to bring more such qualities to it.