Dependency Docket Bench Card, Ohio State Supreme Court, Source Digital Public Library of America (https://dp.la/item/e9eeb7b58aac3e0d3630ac5760aa3e99) (PD)
You are a divorced mother of three, working part-time to make ends meet. You have custody of the children your husband expressed no interest in, even before the marriage ended. You receive no alimony and little child support since he, also, managed to hide assets at the time of the divorce.
Your ex and his new wife now feel custody would be cheaper. Their ploy for gaining custody is to accuse you of neglect. Nothing could be further from the truth. But you have to hire a lawyer to defend yourself, and wind up putting the $10,000 retainer on your credit card.
- Although there are times divorce is the best option, divorced women are more likely than men to receive public assistance, live without health insurance, and have less earning potential [1A].
- 29% of custodial mothers live in poverty, as compared with 16.7% of custodial fathers [1B].
- Only 43.5% of custodial parents receive the full amount of child support [1C]. The aggregate amount of child support due in 2015 was $33.7 billion.
- Children of divorced parents are 1.5 – 2 times more likely to end up living in poverty than children still living with both parents [2].
The lengths to which a good and loving parent may be forced to go, in order to defend against false allegations of abuse are troubling [3A].
A lack of financial resources will exacerbate such a situation. An attorney is not likely to continue with representation in the absence of payment. Necessary psychological evaluation of a child in such a case can cost money, as well.
Unfortunately, the better funded (and less scrupulous) parent often has the upper hand. The falsely accused parent with fewer resources may find herself or himself attempting to prove a negative not only in a custody case, but a simultaneous Dept. of Human Services investigation and criminal action.
How much of a concern is this?
Thirty years ago, false allegations of child sexual abuse were rare. Claims of sexual abuse were made in 6% of cases with 1/3 of those unfounded [3B]. Today, false claims may be made in as many a 20% – 80% of cases [3C][4].
Certainly, 25% – 50% of disputed custody cases involve allegations of domestic violence [3D]. Courts cannot take these allegations lightly, since children raised in a home where domestic violence occurs can have the same emotional and behavioral problems as the victims of direct physical or sexual abuse.
Ours is an adversarial system in which the truth is meant to be uncovered through formalized conflict in a judicial setting. Only 29 states have laws imposing civil or criminal penalties on those who intentionally make false reports of child abuse [5].
“And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you” (Deut. 19: 18-19).
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[1A, 1B, and 1C] US Census, “44 Percent of Custodial Parents Receive the Full Amount of Child Support”, 1/30/18, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/cb18-tps03.html.
[2] VeryWell Family, “Key Statistics about Kids from Divorced Families” by Wayne Parker, 2/20/22, https://www.verywellfamily.com/children-of-divorce-in-america-statistics-1270390#citation-23.
[3A through 3D] Family Law Magazine, “False Allegations of Child Abuse in Custody Litigation (Part 2)” by Rachel Elovitz, 11/6/19, https://familylawyermagazine.com/articles/false-allegations-of-child-abuse-in-custody-litigation-2/.
[4] Divorce Magazine, “False Allegations in Custody Cases: Questions, Observations, and Comments” by William Geary, 7/28/21, https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/false-allegations-in-custody-cases.
[5] Children’s Bureau, “Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect”, February 2019, https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/report.pdf.
Sadly, even domestic violence advocates can be victimized. Desiree Harris was recently killed in what is believed to have been a domestic-related shooting in Wisconsin. She had counseled black women seeking to escape abusive relationships.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
This is an awful concern. Some of it is routed in our lazy, busy and self-centered lives for we are not teaching our children how to be accountable and loving with sacrifice. In these cases, often we elders did not teach our children, now divorcing parents, how to truly love their children by assessing their child’s needs, instead of their own. A small thing we can do as elders, is to try to retain original relationships at our level where possible for the child’s sake, and disagree with our own child in a teaching way, when they are being vindictive – our own child can be the one in error.
A highly perceptive comment, Marilee. As elders, we can help create bridges where divisions exist.
Yes, we must stay involved, it is beyond our duty.
A perfect verse for this context. It’s unfortunate our courts don’t heed this biblical wisdom in most cases/states today.
Yes, Manette. Our legal system is far from ideal.
Lies about others to gain favor…ugh!
I’ve seen enough of those to attest to the truth of this post, dear Anna. So what could be done? I have usually appealed to the kindness of the community, but that’s a drop in the sea.
It would help if there were civil or criminal penalties for false allegations in all 50 states. We can lobby for those.
Interesting idea, but proving those allegations false might be a lengthy process and a costly one, too. Who is going to do it?
That is precisely the obstacle the courts face, Dolly. Generally, when litigation is determined to be wholly groundless (“frivolous”) and not advanced in good faith courts will dismiss it, and impose costs and attorneys’ fees on the offending party. Some states allow for treble damages. If, however, there is a question of fact raised a suit cannot be summarily dismissed.
As I’ve said, I am familiar with long hearings initiated by the Department of Children and Families, which is grievously understaffed and inadequate, so the question of staff and costs is of utmost importance.
I wish I knew of something else to suggest, Dolly. This is a thorny issue.
It certainly is, dear Anna.
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“Only 29 states have laws imposing civil or criminal penalties on those who intentionally make false reports of child abuse” Yikes. I hope more laws are passed in the remaining 21 states
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