Banks, Gillett, & Gillett PLLC

08/08/2022

There’s something we’ve been meaning to tell you. - https://mailchi.mp/66f6cefdb867/theres-something-weve-been-meaning-to-tell-you

05/12/2022

Photos from Banks, Gillett, & Gillett PLLC's post

05/12/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 9, 2022

Contact: Ryan Gillett
Founder and Partner
Step Up Adoptions and Banks, Gillett, & Gillett
[email protected]
405-607-4800

Oklahoma Lawfirm Launches Step Up Adoptions

Local law firm focuses on bringing families together.

EDMOND, OKLA. — After years of exceptional service in divorce and paternity law, Banks, Gillett, and Gillett, PLLC is offering a new service called Step Up Adoptions.

Step Up Adoptions officially launched in 2022 with the goal of helping stepparents and stepchildren establish the legal benefits of their parent-child relationship.

Ryan Gillett, founder and partner, said they recognized the need for Step Up Adoptions after serving so many families looking for a path toward legal restoration for their family unit after weathering challenging circumstances.

“We are focused on guiding families through the confusing, complicated, and stressful court process in a much more efficient and clear way,” Gillett said.

The nuances of adopting a stepchild vary greatly in each unique circumstance. Often families pursue stepparent adoption to ensure children have the care and resources they deserve. The deep bonds between stepparents and their stepchildren do not translate into legal rights — regardless of the length or strength of that connection. The adoption process honors these relationships.

Step Up Adoptions wants to help families navigate the adoption process and establish their family on solid legal ground.

For more information about Step Up Adoptions, visit www.stepupadoptions.com.

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Step Up Adoptions is an adoption law firm based in Oklahoma. Its mission is to help stepparents and stepchildren get the legal recognition and benefits of their parent/child relationships.

08/12/2021

Banks, Gillett, & Gillett PLLC updated their address.

Banks, Gillett, & Gillett PLLC updated their address.

12/18/2020

Banks: Support the adoption community this holiday season

We are so excited to be featured in not one, but TWO major publications about adoptions during the holidays. Check us out in the articles in the Oklahoman and the Oklahoma Journal Record.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5678369/point-of-view-support-the-adoption-community-this-holiday-season?

https://journalrecord.com/2020/12/09/banks-support-the-adoption-community-this-holiday-season/

www.bggokc.com

Everyone deserves to feel like they have a home. Supporting children in foster care and families who care for foster children remains essential as the holiday season approaches.

10/28/2020

Our office will be closed Wednesday Oct 28th due to weather.

Oklahoma County courthouse will also be closed.

We will re-open on Thursday morning at our normal time.

Thank you for your patience.
We hope you are all safe and warm.

10/27/2020

Due to inclement weather, our office will be closed today. We are doing are best to work remotely, but please be patient as power outages may impact our communication capabilities at this time.
Stay warm and stay safe!

04/15/2020

Have questions about stimulus checks and past due child support? OKDHS has a website set up to help answer some questions.

U.S. Treasury Department to intercept stimulus checks of Oklahomans who owe past due child support
-Here's their news release:
- Up to 130,000 Oklahomans with past due child support may not receive the new stimulus checks being issued over the coming weeks and days under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, due to another federal law, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
-The stimulus payments are not exempt under this federal law from intercept for past-due child support, and Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) does not have the authority under federal or state law to circumvent or redistribute intercepted monies in any way.
-The IRS will handle these payments the same as an intercept of a tax refund.
-Additionally, unemployment benefits paid under the CARES Act will also be intercepted according to federal law for past-due child support.
-The Debt Collection Improvement Act requires the U.S. Department of the Treasury to intercept federal payments to collect past due child support.
- For Oklahoma families, the Treasury Department then issues the intercepted money to OKDHS, and federal law then requires OKDHS to distribute the funds as past-due child support.
-Money sent to OKDHS via Treasury Department intercept for individual filers will be held by the state for 30 days to verify balances and ensure accurate distribution.
-Federal law requires states to first withhold any debts owed for public assistance, if any.
-Remaining money is then applied to child support owed to the custodial parent.
-Where Oklahomans who owe child support have filed joint income tax returns, the Treasury Department can intercept the entire stimulus check for that household.
- A spouse may file an Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation of a Joint Return (IRS Form 8379) with the IRS to claim his or her portion of the intercepted payment. OKDHS can hold Treasury Department intercepts for up to six months to see whether there is an injured spouse claim when a joint claim has been filed.
More information about federal intercepts can be found at www.okdhs.org by searching key words “federal tax offset”.

03/28/2020

We always enjoy working with Ms. George! As always, she provides great information here!

03/26/2020

BANKS, GILLETT, & GILLETT

We are having technical difficulties with our phone system due to the high demand with our service provider. If you are trying to reach our office, please keep trying or send us a message through our page and/or website (www.bggokc.com).
If you are a current client, you should still be able to login to your client portal and send messages there.
Thank you for your patience during this unusual time.

With more than 30 years of cumulative practicing experience , our legal firm has the youngest median age in the greater Oklahoma City area. From family to criminal law, our partners demand the best for - and from - our clients.

03/24/2020

We are currently researching how Governor Stitt's announcement affects all of our clients including business clients and family law clients. We are also waiting for the press conference from Mayor Holt at 4pm before issuing any recommendations to our clients. Check your client portal for an update soon.

03/24/2020

www.oscn.net

With the news that Oklahoma schools may be shut down for the rest of the school year, we have received a lot of phone calls about visitation schedules. The Oklahoma Supreme Court entered this ruling yesterday- essentially visitation schedules should continue as if school was still in session. Our attorneys are on standby to help answer any questions you may have about visitation schedules during COVID-19 and also able to assist in creating a temporary visitation schedule for these unprecedented times. Feel free to call our attorneys today- 405.607.4800.

https://www.oscn.net/images/news/SCAD-2020-26.pdf

03/23/2020

Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now

If you are like us, COVID-19 and kids means we are all adapting to a new normal of no school, no play dates and parents working from home. We found this article helpful:

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/13/814615866/coronavirus-and-parenting-what-you-need-to-know-now

The coronavirus is raising a lot of questions for parents, from how to talk to children about it to weathering school closures to screen time strategies when you're home with little ones.

03/19/2020

Take a virtual tour of these 12 amazing museums closed because of coronavirus

Spring Break looks a little different this year for most of us. Check out these 12 museums that are providing free online tours. Please post any other great resources you've found for kids and adults alike! Also, wash your hands.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/03/17/museums-tour-virtually-closed-for-coronavirus/5067867002/

Museums and galleries have always been refuges of calm; in these anxious times, they are more needed than ever. Now you can tour many virtually.

03/18/2020

Check your client portal for the latest update on court appearances and current cases! Also, wash your hands!

03/16/2020

Here is the order from the Supremem Court of Oklahoma regarding upcoming court dates. We will contact the judges for upcoming court dates and notify our clients. We are also putting together a "social distance" policy to continue to work cases and meet with clients in accordance with state and national guidelines. Call the office 405.607.4800 with any questions or submit questions via your client portal.

03/16/2020

We are waiting on administrative orders from Cleveland and Oklahoma counties regarding non-emergency court appearances for the next two weeks.

Cleveland County District Judges will file an order canceling two weeks of jury trials and restricting access to the courthouse, Chief Judge Thad Balkman tells me.

The order will restrict access to the courthouse, and judges will only hear emergency items.

Oklahoma County has canceled all jury trials from March 23rd-April 6th.

Stay tuned- we will provide updates as quickly as we get them.

03/15/2020

Quick update: As of now, the courthouses are conducting business as usual. It is our understanding that the Oklahoma County Commissioners are meeting Monday at 2pm to discuss possible closures in regards to COVID-19. If you have court this week, we will be updating you as quickly as possible of any potential closures. If you need to request special accommodations for court appearances, please send us a MyCase message. Thank you!

03/13/2020

COPAA Statement on Student Rights Under IDEA During the COVID-19 Outbreak - Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc.

Click below for student's rights under IDEA regarding long school closings.

https://www.copaa.org/news/493349/COPAA-Statement-on-Student-Rights-Under-IDEA-During-the-COVID-19-Outbreak.htm

Given growing concerns and uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 outbreak,"the coronavirus,” the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) is extremely concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on students with disabilities and their families. It is essential that families make decisions a...

03/13/2020

So....the weather, huh? Just kidding. we know that COVID-19 is the hot issue right now. While we *don't* know what will happen with court appearances in the next few days, we DO know that we should be washing our hands for 20 seconds. We found this handy website that allows you to put in your song of choice and it will tell you which portion of the lyrics reaches the 20 second threshold. Twisted Sister for the win on a Friday! Click below to add the song of your choice.

https://washyourlyrics.com/

03/06/2020

'I'm in the jailhouse!' Woman celebrates her 100th birthday by getting arrested for the first time

100 years is a pretty solid run. We've never seen anyone so excited to go into custody (and take great pride in keeping you OUT of custody.) Next time give us a call Miss Ruth! Happy Friday!

https://www.koco.com/article/i-m-in-the-jailhouse-woman-celebrates-her-100th-birthday-by-getting-arrested-for-the-first-time/31261858

The experience was on Ruth's bucket list.

03/03/2020

Engaging in politics is a lot like lawyering. Ask hard questions. Follow your heart. Pray. Do the work. Be involved at all levels. Respect the process. Regardless of your political affiliation or candidate preference, all of us at Banks, Gillett, and Gillett want to remind you to get out and vote today!

02/25/2020

404 - Page Not Found | Mardi Gras New Orleans

Happy Mardi Gras! In 1875, Governor Warmoth signed the "Mardi Gras Act," making Fat Tuesday a legal holiday in Louisiana, which it still is. Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

WOOPS! Looks like the page is gone! Don't worry, there are many other pages to explore. We're sorry, but the page you're looking for cannot be found. Join Our Newsletter   Take home more than coconuts! Visit the Mardi Gras Shop Check it out! Latest Mardi Gras News Want More Parades? We Got 'Em! Mis...

02/20/2020

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Oklahoma — BANKS, GILLETT, & GILLETT

what is a no-fault divorce? And what are the grounds for divorce in Oklahoma? Our team discusses grounds for a divorce here:

https://www.bggokc.com/bggblawgs/whatarethegroundsfordivorceinoklahoma

Making the decision to get a divorce is extremely difficult for any couple. Once that decision is made though, the spouses will have to make many more. One of these is whether to file a fault-based or no-fault divorce. In Oklahoma, spouses can file for either type. However, those filing based on fau

02/14/2020

We love our clients! Happy Valentine's Day!

02/13/2020

These zoos will name a cockroach after your ex and feed it to an animal on Valentine’s Day

Divorce and separation can be hard, especially around February 14th and especially while engaged in a court battle. If you are looking for an outlet for frustration, we like donating to this charity in your ex's name:

https://oklahoman.com/article/5654635/these-zoos-will-name-a-cockroach-after-your-ex-and-feed-it-to-an-animal-on-valentines-day

FEB 13, 2020 - ot feeling much love as Valentine’s Day nears? Two zoos in Texas will let you honor an ex in a cruel – but probably very satisfying – way.

02/05/2020

Oklahoma Child Support- what, who, when, how — BANKS, GILLETT, & GILLETT

Oklahoma Child Support- what, who, when, how https://www.bggokc.com/bggblawgs/commonquestionsaboutchildsupport

A quick explanation of the Who, What, When, and How of child support in Oklahoma.

02/04/2020

EDIT: OKLAHOMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2020.

With possible weather impending, we wanted to give our clients a heads up in the event of weather-related closures:
1) Courthouses will be listed like schools, for example "Oklahoma County Courthouse."
2) If you are set for court and the courthouse is closed all day, call the office the next day to figure out when your next court date will be. Often times it can be the next day or the next week.
3) If the Courthouse has a delayed opening and your court appearance is before the courthouse is scheduled to open (for example, your court date is at 9am, but the courthouse does not open until 10am,) please appear at the courthouse when it opens. Your court date may still get continued to another date, but we may be able to resolve it on the original date.
4) leave extra early and arrive safe.

02/03/2020

Did you know that winnings from gambling can be considered part of gross income for child support purposes? We are happy to discuss modifications of child support based on material changes in circumstances. Call today! 405.607.4800.

11/27/2019

Wishing you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings! We will be closed Thursday and Friday and will see you all Monday morning!

11/11/2019

Originally known as Armistice Day, the original proclamation still rings true:

"Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

With the utmost respect and gratitude, Banks, Gillett, and Gillett says thank you to all of our veterans.

11/01/2019

WATCH LIVE: Oklahoma parole board recommends record-breaking 527 inmates for commutation

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously Friday to recommend the sentences of 527 state inmates be commuted, the largest single-day commutation in state and national history.

This comes after House Bill 1269, a bipartisan bill that focuses on criminal justice reform, reclassifying low-level drug and property crimes, passed in May.

https://www.koco.com/article/watch-live-oklahoma-parole-board-voting-on-largest-one-day-commutation-in-nation/29667049

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board on Friday recommended more than 500 inmates for commutation, and it's believed to be the largest one-day commutation in U.S. history.

10/14/2019

Was honored to speak to and encourage A.S.P.I.R.E. 6th graders at Summit Middle School this past week.

09/30/2019

Oklahoma City police to still enforce ban on topless women in public

Are you so so excited or so so scared about the ruling from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the ban on topless women being unconstitutional?

Well, OKCPD announced that it intends to enforce local ordinances that prohibit “the showing of the human male or female ge****ls, p***c area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering; or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple.”

This does *not* apply to breastfeeding as breastfeeding is protected by 63 O.S. 1-234.1 which states "The Legislature hereby declares that breast-feeding a baby constitutes a basic act of nurturing to which every baby has a right and which should be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health. In furtherance of this right, a mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be. Breast-feeding shall not constitute a violation of any provision of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes."

https://kfor.com/2019/09/30/oklahoma-city-police-to-still-enforce-ban-on-topless-women-in-public/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=5d926735b1a00400017b594b&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

OKLAHOMA CITY - Authorities in Oklahoma City are warning residents that they will still enforce a city ordinance, even after a recent court decision in Colorado. Recently, there has been a lot of news regarding a recent court decision regarding an ordinance that bans women from appearing topless in....

09/23/2019

Very happy to report that my Know Your Rights talk was a big hit this past weekend at the 6th annual National HBCU Prelaw Summit in Atlanta, GA.

09/20/2019

Continuing our legal education regarding juvenile law and adolescent development. Every lawyer in our office regularly attains more than double the annual continuing education requirements in an effort to better represent our clients. Thank you Oklahoma Lawyers for Children for an excellent CLE today.