Oklahoma Judge Refuses Same-Sex Divorce Petition

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a judge refused to grant a same-sex divorce today.  The judge was asked to grant a divorce for a woman who married her partner in Canada, but had filed divorce two years ago in Tulsa to terminate her marriage.

However, the judge presiding over the case, Special Judge Robert Perugino, decided to side with an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling.  The ruling made by a Supreme Court judge set aside the divorce he granted between the two parties, Cait and Stephanie O'Darling, because the judge claimed he was unaware that both were parties listed on the divorce petition were women.

After the judge's ruling, the state's highest court sent the case back to the district court so that Cait O'Darling had a chance to explain why she was entitled to a divorce.

However, Perugino argued that there were no documents were provided to the court to support O'Darling's claim that her marriage was in fact valid and legal.

Court documents stated that the women were married in Canada in 2002, but the year was recently changed on documents to 2003.

Recently, Oklahoma adopted a law that bars same-sex marriages and yet another law that prohibits official recognition of same-sex marriages that take place outside of the state of Oklahoma.

If you need assistance with a divorce or a related family law matter, click here to find an Oklahoma family law attorney!