How to Deal With False Accusations in a High-Net-Worth Divorce in Pierce County, Washington

Ending a marriage is rarely easy or straightforward. Even spouses who agree to go their separate ways and remain amicable will likely encounter their fair share of disagreements as they move through the legal separation process. Untangling your lives from one another takes time and effort, and it’s natural for emotions to run high while you sift through old memories and mourn the loss of this monumental relationship and important chapter in your life. Coping with the seemingly endless steps of the divorce process in Washington state can be overwhelming enough, but those who find themselves blind-sighted by false accusations during divorce must address additional stressors and complications along the way. Not only must you negotiate the division of your marital property, talk through spousal maintenance agreements and child custody arrangements, and plan for a stable and secure future once the divorce is finalized, but you will also have to push back against false allegations of domestic abuse, infidelity, hiding financial assets, or other accusations that threaten to ruin your reputation and future livelihood. 

As overwhelmed and anxious as you may feel at the moment, it’s essential to recognize that you are never alone in your struggle. Enlisting the guidance and support of an experienced and empathetic Seattle divorce attorney can give you the reassurance and composure you need to defend yourself from these baseless accusations. Together, you can take purposeful steps to counter these false allegations in divorce and maximize your chances of obtaining a fair and favorable outcome. This post will highlight common types of false accusations that can arise during a Pierce County divorce and some key steps for pushing back against these allegations to keep your reputation and future as bright as possible. 

Navigating Divorce in Pierce County, Washington

Like most states, Washington is what’s known as a “no-fault” divorce state. According to the Legal Information Institute (LII), “no-fault divorces do not require any showing of wrongdoing. Rather, the filing spouse simply claims as grounds for the divorce that the couple cannot get along and the marriage has factually broken down.” In other words, either spouse may file for divorce at any time without having to provide a specific reason for ending the marriage. No-fault divorce emerged within the last few decades as more states aimed to make the legal separation process easier and more accessible to both spouses. Under the fault-based divorce system, the spouse filing for divorce had to justify their request by alleging wrongdoing on the part of the other party, such as infidelity, cruelty, or other recognized grounds for divorce. Today, all states allow some version of no-fault divorces. However, a handful of states (including Washington) are considered “true no-fault divorce states,” as they only allow residents to file for divorce based on no-fault grounds. If you are seeking a divorce in Pierce County, you can review the legal documents and forms that you will need to complete and file to initiate the proceedings. Essentially, you can begin the process by filing a summons and petition for dissolution of marriage with the court. Once the court receives these documents, a case number will be assigned, and a case schedule will be established. In some cases, it may be necessary to serve the other party with the summons and petition, which can take some time. It’s also important to understand that Washington observes a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the court can finalize a divorce. If you have questions about what to expect during the divorce process in Washington state, reach out to a trusted and experienced Pierce County divorce attorney for customized legal guidance. 

Recognizing False Accusations During Divorce

The divorce process is complicated enough for spouses seeking an amicable separation. However, facing false allegations of abuse or wrongdoing by your soon-to-be ex-spouse can be especially stressful and intimidating. While domestic abuse, physical violence, and other forms of spousal mistreatment do happen in some relationships, there are times when a spouse may use false accusations during divorce proceedings in order to secure a more favorable settlement or outcome for themselves. For instance, a spouse may accuse the other party of domestic abuse during the marriage to gain a more favorable child custody arrangement. Or, your spouse could accuse you of hiding financial assets from them (even if this is completely baseless and untrue) to secure a larger portion of the marital property or receive a higher amount of spousal support. Regardless of the nature of the false allegations, it can be stressful and daunting to have to defend yourself against these accusations during an already overwhelming time. Enlisting the support of a dedicated and highly qualified Pierce County divorce lawyer can give you the confidence you need to advocate for your best interests and hold your head high in the face of these baseless accusations. 

Common Types of Divorce False Accusations in Pierce County

There are many ways that one spouse can accuse the other of wrongdoing, whether or not the allegation is true. First of all, it’s helpful to understand the factors that may motivate a spouse to make false accusations against the other spouse during the divorce process. In most cases, someone who makes false accusations does so with the goal of securing a more favorable outcome for themselves. They assume that painting the other party in a negative light will lead the court to award the accusing party with a more favorable child custody agreement, a larger share of financial assets, or other desirable benefits. Unfortunately, these false accusations can have a lasting negative effect on the accused individual’s reputation, livelihood, and economic future. Below are some of the most common false accusations that can arise during the divorce process in Washington State.

Domestic Violence

Accusing someone of domestic abuse is a serious matter. The court system and abuse survivor advocacy groups tend to side with those who report their alleged abusers, as their goal is to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals and children whose living environments may be dangerous. In some cases, your accuser may take the allegations to the next level by seeking a civil protection order against you. If you have children, such accusations can be all the more concerning, as your parental and custodial rights will likely be in jeopardy. Learning that your spouse is petitioning the court for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) against you can be devastating and frightening, as you must now fight back against these serious allegations to defend your reputation and future. It’s essential that you contact a highly experienced divorce lawyer to learn more about how to defend yourself against false allegations in divorce and keep your future as bright as possible. 

Infidelity

Although the spouse pursuing a divorce in Washington does not need to cite a specific reason for taking this step, they may accuse you of infidelity in order to win sympathy from the court and obtain a more favorable settlement. Portraying you as an unfaithful spouse whose heartless actions caused significant emotional distress to your spouse may prompt the court to award the accuser with a greater share of financial assets in order to account for the harm they suffered during the marriage. If you are struggling with false allegations of infidelity or emotional manipulation, your dedicated and caring Pierce County attorney can help you identify the most appropriate strategy for pushing back against these baseless accusations. 

Hiding Financial Assets From Your Spouse

High-net-worth divorces tend to be particularly fraught, as the stakes are considerably higher for both parties. A spouse hoping to secure a substantial divorce settlement may accuse the other of hiding financial assets from the other. Accusing someone of dishonesty may improve your chances of securing a more favorable settlement, as the court may award you a more significant portion of the community property to compensate for your spouse’s alleged dishonest actions. Your knowledgeable divorce attorney is prepared to advocate on your behalf and fight back against these underhanded attempts to deprive you of your fair share of your assets. 

How to Handle False Accusations During Your Divorce

If your spouse is falsely accusing you of abuse or wrongdoing to secure a more favorable settlement for themselves, you have the right to fight back and defend yourself. Working with a trusted and experienced Seattle divorce lawyer who understands the complexities of high-net-worth and contentious legal separation cases is the best way to improve your chances of obtaining a fair and favorable resolution. Your attorney may suggest taking certain strategic steps to counter false accusations, such as avoiding conflicts as much as possible to keep your accuser from escalating the situation, documenting all relevant information that undermines their credibility, and remaining transparent with your attorney to ensure that they can advocate successfully on your behalf. Moreover, if your accuser is pursuing a civil protection order against you, your lawyer can identify the most strategic path forward to counter the validity of their claims and uncover their motives for making false accusations. 

Regardless of your situation, the divorce process in Washington state can seem daunting and stressful. However, you do not have to navigate this challenging time on your own. Reach out to the Hemmat Law Group at (206) 682-5200 to discuss your options with a dedicated and caring Seattle divorce attorney.