Michele A. Lebron | March 19, 2025 | Family Law Blog
Family law matters can get extremely emotional, and they can bring out some nasty behavior in those involved. This is especially true in contested divorces or situations where child custody is at stake.
It is not uncommon for a spouse to bring up false accusations of abuse, drug and alcohol use, or infidelity during these types of cases. These accusations can be extremely damaging to your reputation, so disproving them is crucial. If you find yourself facing false accusations in court, try to remain calm and remember these five things.
1. Remain Calm & Keep Your Cool
When someone makes false statements about you, it can be easy to lose your cool. Your first reaction may be to aggressively defend yourself. However, getting angry and losing your composure is not likely to help your case.
Stay calm and maintain your composure. An emotional outburst is likely to do more harm than good, especially if the allegations involve physical or emotional abuse.
2. Plan Your Response & Gather Evidence
Before you respond to false allegations, make sure you carefully plan your response and strategy. It is usually not wise to respond with an off-the-cuff retort to the allegations. Putting together a plan will help you refute the allegations successfully.
In addition, go ahead and start gathering as much evidence to support your response as possible. In some situations, your spouse may threaten to bring up false allegations against you. You can go ahead and start gathering evidence to defend yourself even before the allegations are brought up.
Some examples of evidence you might use include:
- Witness testimony
- Bank records
- Photos
- Text messages
- Emails
- Receipts
- Medical records
The more evidence you have supporting your defense of the allegations, the more likely it is you will be successful.
3. Consider Your Legal Options
False accusations not only have an impact on your pending family law matter, but they could also damage your reputation at work and in the community. You could end up losing your job or suffering other damages because of the false information being spread. If your spouse or someone else is spreading false information about you, they could be liable for your damages in a civil suit.
If you think your character or reputation has been harmed by these false statements, consider bringing a civil lawsuit against the person who is creating the false accusations. A defamation lawsuit may cause the other party to think twice before bringing false accusations against you in the future.
4. You Can Choose to Remain Silent
When someone brings accusations against you, you could face criminal penalties in some cases if the allegations are true. Allegations of abuse, domestic violence, or other crimes could result in criminal charges being filed. Remember that you have a right to remain silent in these situations.
While it is natural to want to immediately respond to the allegations and defend yourself, this is not always the best idea. If there is a chance you could face criminal charges because of the allegations, it may be in your best interest to remain silent and avoid giving your side of the story — at least until you can hire an attorney to help.
5. Contact a Lawyer
There are several things an experienced attorney can do to help protect you against false accusations, including:
- Investigating the allegations and gathering evidence to disprove them
- Filing a civil lawsuit against the person behind the allegations
- Defending you against any potential criminal charges surrounding the allegations
- Advising you of your legal options and helping you plan the best path forward
One of the best things to do when facing false accusations is to contact a lawyer to help you.
Are You Facing False Accusations in Court in Florida? A Lawyer Can Help
If false accusations have been brought against you in Kissimmee, Florida, make sure you remember these five important items. Staying calm, remembering what to do, and consulting an experienced attorney can go a long way toward protecting yourself against false claims.
Making decisions can be overwhelming. You don’t have to face them alone. At Lebron Law, PLLC, we understand the intricacies of Florida family law. We are committed to protecting your rights and your child’s well-being. Whether you’re modifying a parenting plan, seeking modifications, or addressing disputes, we’re here to assist you at (321) 463-3222.
Contact Lebron Law, PLLC today for a consultation, and let us guide you through this challenging process.
We serve all through Osceola County and its surrounding areas in Florida. Visit our office at:
Lebron Law, PLLC
15 S Orlando Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741
(321) 463-3222
