What To Do When The Other Side Lies in Child Custody Case?
When child custody battles heat up in Nevada, false allegations can turn an already challenging situation into a nightmare. As experienced Las Vegas divorce attorneys at Kelleher & Kelleher, we’ve seen how fabricated stories and exaggerated claims can spiral out of control during custody disputes. We’re here to help you protect your rights and your relationship with your children.
The Reality of False Claims in Family Court
False allegations in custody cases often start small. A parent might blow minor incidents out of proportion or create fictional scenarios, hoping to gain an advantage in court. Sometimes these claims stem from genuine hurt and betrayal. Other times, they’re calculated attempts to damage the other parent’s custody rights.
If you’re facing false accusations in your custody case, you’re likely experiencing a whirlwind of emotions – shock, fear, and anger are all normal responses. Many parents immediately want to retaliate with their own accusations, but this approach rarely helps your case. It will be tempting to retaliate, or to try and use their own tricks against them. But don’t. This just doesn’t work.
As your family law attorneys in Las Vegas, we’ll help you focus on what truly matters – the legal framework that governs custody decisions. Nevada courts base their decisions on concrete facts and specific legal guidelines, not emotional accusations.
The courts follow NRS 125.480, which clearly states that custody decisions must focus solely on your child’s best interests. Here’s what you need to know:
Legal Authority: Courts can make both interim and final custody orders under NRS 125.510 and NRS 125.230.
Gender Neutrality: The law doesn’t favor either parent based on gender or traditional parental roles.
Parental Agreements: When parents create their own custody arrangements, courts generally accept these unless they’re unconscionable or illegal.
You’ll notice that nowhere in there does it say anything about who proves the other side wrong, or who has the most compelling story.
Real-World Examples of False Allegations
In our years as Nevada family law specialists, we’ve seen various types of false allegations:
Example 1: A parent claims the other never attends school events or medical appointments, but email records and doctor’s office sign-in sheets show consistent involvement.
Example 2: Accusations of substance abuse surface only after custody proceedings begin, despite social media posts showing the accusing parent socializing with the accused parent without concern.
Example 3: Claims of an “unsafe home environment” arise, yet photos, videos, and witness statements demonstrate a loving, well-maintained home life.
So How Do You Fight Against Lies By The Other Side?
Our Las Vegas family law attorneys recommend a proactive approach to protecting yourself. Before
Document Everything: Create a strong foundation of evidence:
- Save every email about parenting matters
- Keep a detailed visitation log
- Record all child-related expenses
- Maintain copies of school and medical records
Communication Best Practices:
- Use email for important conversations
- Keep messages focused on the children
- Remain professional and courteous
- Save all written exchanges
Professional Documentation:
- Request progress reports from teachers
- Maintain records of counseling sessions
- Keep documentation of extracurricular activities
- Save receipts for child-related expenses
Digital Communication as Evidence
Email stands as your strongest digital ally in custody disputes. Unlike text messages, emails create a clear, timestamped record that’s difficult to manipulate. Make email your go-to channel for discussing pickup times, school events, medical appointments, and other parenting matters.
While text messages play a role in your case, they require additional verification steps. Save screenshots with visible dates and phone numbers, and back up your text histories regularly. At Kelleher & Kelleher, we help you build a solid chain of custody for all your digital evidence.
Daily Documentation Strategies
Your calendar becomes a powerful weapon against false claims. Record every interaction:
- Child pickup and dropoff times
- School event attendance
- Medical appointments
- Extracurricular activities
- Parent-teacher conferences
These detailed records can swiftly disprove claims about uninvolved parenting. For example, if your ex claims you’ve been absent from your child’s life, your documented history of regular pickups and doctor’s visits tells a different story.
The Social Media Factor
Social media posts often reveal the truth behind false allegations. We’ve seen cases where a parent accuses their ex of negligent behavior, only to have their own social media activity contradict their claims. Particularly telling are posts showing:
- Joint family activities
- Positive co-parenting moments
- Contradictions to court statements
- Public behavior patterns
However, social media can cut both ways. Courts take a serious view of parents who use platforms to criticize or shame their co-parent. Such behavior can harm your case and, more importantly, your children’s emotional well-being.
Legal Protections and Remedies
Nevada family courts have several tools to address false allegations:
Court Orders: Judges can issue orders preventing parties from making unfounded reports to authorities
Sanctions: Courts may impose penalties for knowingly false statements
Custody Modifications: Repeated false allegations can lead to custody changes
Guardian ad Litem: The court might appoint an independent advocate for your child
Your Next Steps
Don’t let false allegations threaten your relationship with your children. Our Las Vegas custody attorneys at Kelleher & Kelleher are ready to help you build a strong defense and protect your parental rights.
Call us at (702) 384-7494 for a consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you develop a strategy to counter false allegations effectively.
Looking for more family law resources? Our Las Vegas family law team regularly shares insights on custody matters, divorce proceedings, and other family law topics. Contact our family law attorneys today to learn how we can help protect your rights as a parent.