Defamation of character

[Heart-broken dad]

Just putting this out there , but, has anyone here ever been so seriously slandered by their ex that they've thought of, or maybe went ahead with, a lawsuit for defamation of character? I know this is awfully "American" of me to think about suing, but under the circumstances I'm not sure how else to get her to apologize for spreading all the lies about me and my family.

Overall, I'd like to say that it doesn't bug me that much. It's just that she's started accusing my family as well, and now, I'm getting a little pissed. I have written statements from 3 of her former best friends (2 of which she has known for 25 years) stating what her intentions were to get even with me, and that she would do EVERYTHING it takes. I've also found out from them that she's been basically bad-mouthing me since the begining of the relationship which lasted for 14 years.

I'm not a bad guy, and I've asked her to appologize many times. I've even sent proof to her lawyer that she had lied in her affidavits, but, this is afterall family law, and I know nothing will be done, and no one will force her to do the right thing.

So, if you've ever filed a lawsuit I would love to hear from you.

[About_Time]

Everyone who has gone through a messy divorce dreams of this, but the reality is it would almost never be successful. Defamation lawsuits are difficult enough in the public sphere, but between ex-spouses? Very tough.

This website link it all out for you:

Tort & Personal Injury > Defamation

My ex said some truly horrible things about me - shocking, hurtful things. My strategy has been to consistantly and agressively deny each accusation as soon as it is raised. More importantly, my attitude has been that if anyone was actually dumb enough to believe my ex-wife, then they deserve their own ignorance.

[singledad99]

My ex is no different. Her bitterness is not just aimed at me now but also at our son. In order to hurt me (because she knows how much important he is to me) she went around the neighbourhood and told our son's friends' moms that I am a dangerous person and that they shouldn't allow our son to visit them or allow their children to visit him. In her recent affidavit she has slandered our 9 years old son just as if he were me. Her lawyer is super stupid too. She thinks by doing all of this her client will get joint custody. Well, good luck with that.

My strategy is to stay strong and stay calm, and ignore her as if she does not exist (except for the fact that she is his mom and that she eats away a big chunk of my pay cheque). I have also ignored anyone who sides with her without knowing full facts and made new friends who respect me for what I am. In the court, I don't waste more than a paragraph or two to deny her allegations.

I have talked to the lawyer(s) about bringing the lawsuit but I was told it would be close to impossible to get any results.

[PhoenixRising]

Let lying dogs lie!

My ex is doing the same thing to me. In this case he is male counterpart. The way I look at it the relationship did not work out so let us get on with our lives. He has gone as far as emailing my best friend and even calling my ex husband telling them everything and anything that he feels about me.

Keep your head up and continue on.

[HCA]

not worth your time or your sanity

I agree that process it and move on. Negativity has a way of seeping into your life like a plague. My ex painted me with anger issues etc. It was her way to get even and to rationalize her own issues. Attack and beat down the your ex to build up your self esteem or your version of events so you can assuage your ego - basically abdicate all fault. It’s about a false sense of justice. It takes two to make a marriage and two to break it..... My family has also been cut out of my kids lives to both my extended families' and the kid’s detriment. I hate to sound so pragmatic, but its all about how much mental energy you want expend for the gain expected. As the non custodial parent my kids, now teenagers have been bombarded with the message - he left us when she left me and her extended family has painted me as the devil incarnate and bascially an untrustworthy parent. Is it PAS? Maybe.

I have faith in my kids, who are now teenagers that they will see through it all but it may be a faint hope. It’s been close to seven years now and the circus is still in town.....

What goes around comes around. The truth eventually comes out and it will come back to bite her in the ass one day....