Rayanne G. Tobey Attorney at Law

05/03/2026

So, not an estate plan issue for everyone but one for some. When your lawyer has created an LLC or LLP or anything for that matter with the Secretary of State, you are required to file ANNUAL CERTIFICATES (whether your lawyer told you or not). A new client found this out from me, not from the prior client.

Here is more: https://www.sos.ok.gov/
Oklahoma Annual Certificate Renewal for Companies
If you are incorporated or registered in Oklahoma, most corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships (LPs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are required to file an annual certificate with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are generally exempt, but businesses operating under a trade name may still need registrations.
When do you File
• Deadline: Due by the end of the month in which the entity was registered (the company’s anniversary) Example: Formed in March → due by March 31 EVERY YEAR!
• Grace period: Missing the deadline by more than 60 days can cause an LLC to lose good standing; for foreign corporations, it can trigger ouster proceedings
• The Secretary of State mails forms to foreign corporations about a month before their anniversary date; domestic entities should file early.
The Certificate can be filed electronically, it is simple and includes
• Current principal office address and mailing address
• Registered agent name and Oklahoma street address
• Names and titles of officers, directors, or managers
• Confirmation of good standing and compliance with state laws
Fees are LLCs: $25; LPs: $50
Consequences
• LLCs: Lose good standing after 60 days; may be administratively dissolved or revoked if unfiled for three consecutive years .
• Foreign corporations: Risk ouster proceedings and loss of authority to transact business in Oklahoma
Late fees are not charged, but penalties include loss of legal protections (e.g., right to sue in state courts, secure bank accounts)

Oklahoma Secretary of State, business Servies Executive Legislative Agricultural Liens Oepn meetings Administrative Rules International Protocol charitable organization

04/27/2026

National Elder Law Month is May, so a bit of a lead on that, let's talk about Powers of Attorney - Financial or Healthcare (and throw in the Advance Directives).

These are two different kinds of things and in my opinion should be separate documents. (3 total). These POA's let someone act as your Agent. (Not a Super Agent but close). However, when you pass, the powers pass with you. They do not give anyone any powers after you have departed. You need separate documents for that purpose.

Powers of Attorney of any kind can be limited (for just one specific thing or a specific time period) or Durable and General - they can do almost anything and for almost forever. (See above about what happens when you are not here anymore).

They are only helpful if the powers that be, your insurance, bank institutions, doctors and hospitals, if they HAVE A COPY. This all comes into my brain because it happens a lot when I have created the estate plan, given everyone copies, digital versions and a set of originals AND ... something happens, no one can find it and their loved one is in the hospital or hospice and they need the "THING"

When you have a POA for finances, take it to your financial advisor, your bank, your credit union.

When you have a POA for healthcare (along with an Advance Directive) upload it to your MyChart, put it in your medical records, keep a copy of the Advance Directive in case the Fire Department or EMSA shows up at your house. Put a note on the refrigerator telling them where it is.

Otherwise you might have to call your lawyer when they are out of state, on a Sunday Night or in the middle of a storm. Hopefully, like me, the lawyer has scanned everything and can fax it where it needs to be. Your loved ones have taken the time to Plan; just make sure you know the Plan and it is in the hands (records) of those who need to know.

04/14/2026

The "Lexicon" of the Law; it is a foreign language; the knowing of "it" gets you into the Bar (minus the beverages). The misuse of "it" can cost a case with a misplaced comma (the "Oxford comma") or keep you out of the Court; a mis-defined term can cause heartache and dissappointment.

I like words, I like Idioms, and I like making sure my clients (and even those who don't retain me), know what the words mean and how they work in the situation they find themselves.

Always know that when someone uses a word you don't know, you just ask and they will tell you. If they aren't willing to tell you, find a different lawyer. But keep asking what the words mean.

01/15/2026

Just FYI - All driver’s license and motor vehicle services statewide will be unavailable from Thursday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 16.

During that time, residents will not be able to process driver licenses, registrations or other motor vehicle transactions online or in person. So plan accordingly.

09/19/2025

For those who might need one. Upcoming Warrant Clearing Event in Tulsa County.

JusticeLink is proud to partner again for the Tulsa County Warrant Clearing Event—back for the second time!

📅 Friday, October 3, 2025
🕘 9 AM – 3 PM
📍 Tulsa City-County Library, Lower Level 2 (400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103)

✅ Pay fees
✅ Get on a payment plan
✅ Reset your court date

⚖️ For non-violent misdemeanor cases only (no DUI or domestic cases).
🚐 Need a ride? Call JusticeLink at 918-954-1305.

No arrests will be made at this event. This is a safe chance to clear warrants and take the next step forward.

04/16/2025

FinCEN update - Renews Residential Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders -

Today (April 15, 2025) the FinCEN announced it has renewed its GTO (Geographic Targeting Orders) that require US title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases of residential real estate. The GTO is effective April 15 until October 9, 2025. The renewed GTO's cover certain counties and major US metro areas in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida,, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington, Virginia and DC. For more information look below -

WASHINGTON—Today, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced the renewal of its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases of residential real estate.

04/15/2025

The earlier you plan, the more options you have available and the more bad outcomes you can prevent. Consider at least talking about estate planning, looking into estate planning and then planning ahead.

Eventually you, your children or grandchildren are going to have to talk to a lawyer about how to prevent bad outcomes and finalize the transfer of your estate. It's generally less expensive to plan now rather than have someone else finalize your estate after you have left this life without a plan.

03/23/2025

3/21/25 - FinCEN Removes Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for U.S. Companies and U.S. Persons, Sets New Deadlines for Foreign Companies.

WASHINGTON––Consistent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s March 2, 2025 announcement, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act.

In that interim final rule, FinCEN revises the definition of “reporting company” in its implementing regulations to mean only those entities that are formed under the law of a foreign country and that have registered to do business in any U.S. State or Tribal jurisdiction by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or similar office (formerly known as “foreign reporting companies”). FinCEN also exempts entities previously known as “domestic reporting companies” from BOI reporting requirements.

Thus, through this interim final rule, all entities created in the United States — including those previously known as “domestic reporting companies” — and their beneficial owners will be exempt from the requirement to report BOI to FinCEN. Foreign entities that meet the new definition of a “reporting company” and do not qualify for an exemption from the reporting requirements must report their BOI to FinCEN under new deadlines, detailed below. These foreign entities, however, will not be required to report any U.S. persons as beneficial owners, and U.S. persons will not be required to report BOI with respect to any such entity for which they are a beneficial owner. For more information, see https://fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-removes-beneficial-ownership-reporting-requirements-us-companies-and-us.

WASHINGTON—Today, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published its first set of guidance materials to aid the public, and in particular the small business community, in understanding upcoming beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements taking effect on January 1, 2...

03/03/2025

FinCEN Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines

Immediate Release

February 27, 2025
WASHINGTON––Today, FinCEN announced that it will not issue any fines or penalties or take any other enforcement actions against any companies based on any failure to file or update beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act by the current deadlines. No fines or penalties will be issued, and no enforcement actions will be taken, until a forthcoming interim final rule becomes effective and the new relevant due dates in the interim final rule have passed. This announcement continues Treasury’s commitment to reducing regulatory burden on businesses, as well as prioritizing under the Corporate Transparency Act reporting of BOI for those entities that pose the most significant law enforcement and national security risks.

No later than March 21, 2025, FinCEN intends to issue an interim final rule that extends BOI reporting deadlines, recognizing the need to provide new guidance and clarity as quickly as possible, while ensuring that BOI that is highly useful to important national security, intelligence, and law enforcement activities is reported.

FinCEN also intends to solicit public comment on potential revisions to existing BOI reporting requirements. FinCEN will consider those comments as part of a notice of proposed rulemaking anticipated to be issued later this year to minimize burden on small businesses while ensuring that BOI is highly useful to important national security, intelligence, and law enforcement activities, as well to determine what, if any, modifications to the deadlines referenced here should be considered.

02/19/2025

Small and Medium Business Owner Friends - for today 2/19 FinCEN is back on - filing date is March 25, now that could change later today (and my spidey sense says probably someone files another Stay) - there are two pending Federal bills the Repeal Big Brother's Overreach Act S. 100 (which repeals CTA entirely I believe) and Protect Small Business from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025 so there is that. Keep up with FinCEN, they do actually post on the BOI website to let everyone know the ping pong of the status. It is still free to file, costly if you don't once that filing date is closer check in the website or with your favorite lawyer.