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Lying in family court earns woman jail time, not custody

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Dec 15, 2017 | Child Custody |

Lying in family court can cost you both custody and jail time.

A woman from California is learning that lesson the hard way after she perjured herself in family court. She won’t know her actual sentence until January 2018, but she faces a potential of four years in prison.

Lying in family court can cost you both custody and jail time.

A woman from California is learning that lesson the hard way after she perjured herself in family court. She won’t know her actual sentence until January 2018, but she faces a potential of four years in prison.

The mother was trying to defend against a custody petition from her child’s father. He had requested full physical and legal custody of their daughter, for the daughter’s safety.

The father alleged, in essence, that the mother and her live-in boyfriend both had drinking problems. Their drinking led to frequent altercations between them — including one where the boyfriend dragged the mother outside of her own home and then locked her out. She had to run to a neighbor for help.

That neighbor turned out to be a police officer. As required, he reported the domestic violence incident, creating a record of the event for the court.

At some point, the mother also filed a declaration with the courts attesting to the domestic violence she’d experienced at the hands of her boyfriend.

However, when it came time for the custody hearing in family court, the mother and her boyfriend adamantly denied that any violence had ever taken place — despite the considerable trail of evidence that said otherwise.

The mother even tried to insist that her own attorney — for an unknown reason — had written the declaration about the violence himself and then forged her signature.

It wasn’t until presented with evidence of her own prior testimony in another court that the mother finally admitted that the declaration wasn’t faked.

Perjury is not considered an insignificant criminal act — it subverts the entire judicial system. However, perhaps because the stakes are so high in custody cases, people manage to justify their decisions to lie in family court.

That often backfires on them. While not every prosecutor is as aggressive about prosecuting perjury cases as the one in this particular part of California, judges take a dim view of lying. If they can’t trust the parent to be truthful, why should they risk the safety of a child with that parent?

Regardless of your situation, lying in order to win a custody battle is likely to compound your troubles. The truth, however, may make the judge inclined to work with you — and keep you out of jail.

Source: Lake County News, “Woman enters plea in perjury case,” Dec. 09, 2017

I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Jun 6, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Receiving divorce papers is already overwhelming. When false allegations are part of the paperwork, the situation can feel even more difficult. It’s essential to stay calm and know how to address the issue. Here’s what to do if you receive divorce papers containing...

Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 14, 2025 | Divorce

Domestic partnerships offer many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but they can complicate the divorce process. If you're ending a domestic partnership, your legal path may differ from that of a traditional divorce, especially in California....

Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 10, 2025 | Divorce

In California, Moore/Marsden calculations determine how to divide property when one spouse’s separate property has contributed to the acquisition or improvement of community property. These calculations ensure a fair division of property in divorce cases, particularly...

How can you document SP for asset protection?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 3, 2025 | Family Law

When you're about to get married, it's important to think about how to protect your assets, including spousal support (SP) money. If you've received spousal support in the past or expect it during your marriage, you may worry about documenting its use—especially if...

What to expect during child support enforcement actions

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 23, 2025 | Child Support

Child support represents the financial contributions a non-custodial parent makes towards their child's upbringing. It ensures a parent meets the child's basic needs, such as food, housing, and education. It also supports a child's wellbeing, especially when parents...

Can you reimburse expenses before child support orders take effect?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 17, 2025 | Child Support

After a separation, managing child-related expenses can become a challenging task, especially before any official child support orders take effect. Many parents wonder if they can reimburse child expenses during this interim period. Understanding your rights and...

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in custody cases?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 11, 2025 | Custody & Visitation

When it comes to custody cases, it is a common misconception that mothers have more rights than fathers. This often stems from historical trends and societal assumptions about parenting roles. Whether you are a mother concerned about maintaining your relationship with...

Why should you update your advanced directives during a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 28, 2025 | Divorce

Going through a divorce is challenging. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is updating your advanced directives. These legal documents play a vital role in ensuring others respect your wishes, even when you cannot speak for yourself. Protecting your...

Can you protect yourself and your children without a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 25, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Domestic violence creates a terrifying and dangerous situation. You may feel trapped, believing divorce is your only option for safety. The good news is that California law provides legal alternatives if your moral beliefs prevent you from getting a divorce. Let us...

What can California parents do if their child refuses to visit the other parent?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 14, 2025 | Child Custody

Dealing with a child who does not want to see their other parent can create stress for everyone involved. California courts expect parents to follow custody orders while being sensitive to their children's feelings. Parents can struggle to balance their legal...

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Recent Posts

  • I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?
  • Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?
  • Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce
  • How can you document SP for asset protection?

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