Dear Client:
Clients sometimes worry about what will happen at trial if they have no witnesses to their spouse’s misconduct. No worries. There are not going to be witnesses to what happens in the privacy of your home. And regrettably if there are witnesses they will be your children. And rarely is it a good idea for them to testify about what is going on between their parents.
More often than not in domestic cases the case will come down to your word against that of your ex.
And how will the judge know which one of you is telling the truth?
Because the truth is the light, and there is something about the truth that has a way of resonating in ears of others. It is difficult to tell a lie. Well, let met qualify that statement. It is not hard to lie when what you are saying is not being challenged. But under the intense scrutiny of cross-examination it is difficult to keep a false story straight.
Few clients admit it but many are afraid to tell the truth. They are afraid that telling the truth will hurt their case. But you should not worry that telling the truth makes you look bad. Judges do not expect people to be perfect.
They do expect them to be honest about their imperfections. Your bad decisions and poor judgment can be explained. But what can’t be explained is your decision to lie to the judge.
Once you are weaving one lie you will be soon caught in the proverbial tangled web. And the judge will look cross-eyed at everything else you say.
So what should you do if the opposing counsel asks about your boyfriend?
Tell the truth.
What should you say if the opposing counsel asks about the money you have buried in your back yard?
Tell the truth.
What should you say if the opposing counsel asks about the four-letter words you used when speaking with your ex in front of your children?
Tell the truth.
When in doubt, always tell the truth.
Because if the opposing counsel is asking the question, you can bet real money that they already know the answer and are just waiting for a chance launch an assault on your integrity.
Tell the truth.
It is always easier to tell the truth than to try and explain why you lied.
This is an excerpt from Letters to a New Divorce Client. Download a copy below:
Letters to a New Divorce Client
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