Living in such a beautiful place, along the coast of southeast Florida (whether it is in Jupiter or Wellington), does not grant one immunity from disturbing statistics of divorce, child custody battles, child abuse, and how they complicate each other. Allegations that one spouse abused a child, dramatically impacts a case during divorce and the lives of its participants. Although the majority of child abuse accusations are true, the number of false accusations is growing.
So what do you do if you are falsely accused of child abuse by your spouse?
To begin, child abuse is a very complex issue surrounded by explosive emotions. The “he said, she said” can be overwhelming to say the least. Here are a number of things you should do to begin to protect and prepare for defending yourself.
- Acknowledge how serious the situation is. Knowing you are innocent is important but don’t let it lull you into a false sense of security. This is serious and recognizing it will help motivate you to take constructive actions.
- Retain a qualified attorney. Use online resources to research and find an experienced family law attorney. Pay special attention to their expertise in working with false accusation cases. Meet with the attorney, ask plenty of questions and ask for references. This decision is critical to your peace of mind and eventually, the end results. Defend Yourself: Schedule a Family Law Assessment With an Attorney Now!
- Educate yourself. Head off to the library and get some books on the subject of false accusations of abuse. It’s like putting on your armor before going into battle. The more you learn, the better you will be able to partner with your attorney in your defense.
- Avoid risky behavior. Being wrongfully accused might just be the most stressful time in life. Now is the time to stick to clean living. Eat right. Get enough rest. Try to exercise and stay away from illegal substances or alcohol abuse. By taking care of your body and mind, you’ll give yourself the best chance to fight depression and keep your head in the fight.
- Keep quiet. Do not speak to anyone regarding the accusation or charges unless your attorney is present or advises otherwise. Remember, an off-hand comment made to a friend or co-worker may come up later in witness statements.
- Record the “what/when”. With your divorce attorney’s guidance, use a timeline to record as much information as you can about the time surrounding the incident in question, up to today. Be as clear and concise as possible. Share that information with your attorney.
