Understanding Spousal Obligations in Oklahoma
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City divorce attorney Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office. Today we are going to be talking about something that is not all that well known but is still law in Oklahoma, and that is the fact that spouses have a legal obligation to support one another.
You can find this in Oklahoma law under Title 43, Section 202, and that statute is entitled Duty to Support. More specifically, this statute reads as follows: the husband must support himself and his wife out of the community property, or out of his separate property, or by his labor.
The Legal Duties of Each Spouse
Now, on the other side, it states that the wife must support the husband, when he has not deserted her, out of community property, or out of her separate property. This applies when he has no community or separate property, and is unable from infirmity to support himself.
So what does that mean in plain language? It simply means that you need to support one another out of your mutual property, your community property, or property that you brought into the marriage that is your own. And that’s what it’s discussing, including the husband’s obligation to support through his labor as well.
Implications of Support Obligations
It’s important to note that if the husband cannot work due to a disability, the wife is required to support him. While this is, of course, a legal obligation, it is also a potential reason why parties can get divorced. Intentionally abandoning a spouse or failing to provide support can lead to serious marital issues, including divorce.
If you found this video to be helpful or you believe it could help someone else, please visit TheOklahomaCityAttorney.com. My name is Dillan Savage, and thank you for watching.
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If you have questions about spousal obligations or other family law matters, I invite you to reach out for a low-cost consultation. Call the OKC family lawyer today at 405-888-5400 to discuss your situation and explore your options.
