Help: My Spouse Is Telling Lies About Me in Our Illinois Divorce!

 Posted on October 21, 2026 in Divorce

Hearing your spouse make false claims about you during a divorce is upsetting, especially when those claims involve your children. You have the right to challenge false statements in an Illinois divorce. The response should address the specific accusation and provide facts that help the court decide what happened. If your spouse is making false claims during your divorce in 2026, our Wheaton, IL divorce attorney will help you protect your interests.

Can Your Spouse’s False Accusations Affect an Illinois Divorce?

False accusations deserve attention when they concern an issue the court must decide. Claims of child abuse, unsafe parenting, or misuse of marital money could affect requests for court orders while the case is pending.

For example, an accusation that you left a young child alone could lead your spouse to request limits on parenting time. You should respond to that claim even if you believe it is too far-fetched for anyone to accept.

Not every insult needs a legal response. A claim that you were an inconsiderate spouse is different from an allegation that your conduct put your child at risk. Focus on statements that could affect the outcome of your case rather than trying to answer every criticism.

How Should You Respond to Lies During Your Illinois Divorce?

Tell your attorney exactly what your spouse said, where they said it, and when. A statement in a court filing requires a different response from a rumor shared with relatives.

Gather information that directly addresses the accusation. Useful records include:

• Messages discussing the event your spouse described
• Work schedules or other records showing where you were
• School or childcare records documenting pickups and attendance
• Financial statements showing how disputed money was used
• Names of witnesses who personally saw what happened

Suppose your spouse claims you repeatedly missed scheduled pickups. A calendar alone shows what you planned, while childcare sign-out records help establish when you actually arrived.

Keep original records and complete conversations. Do not edit messages or ask witnesses to repeat an account they did not personally observe. Your attorney will decide how to present the information through testimony, court filings, or questioning your spouse.

What if Your Spouse Makes False Claims About Your Parenting in Illinois?

The court decides parenting issues based on your child’s best interests. Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, a parent’s conduct should not affect parenting-time decisions unless it affects that parent’s relationship with the child.

This means allegations about drinking or personal habits need to be considered in context. Drinking at a dinner when your child is elsewhere is different from being impaired while responsible for the child’s care.

If an accusation leads to an investigation, cooperate with lawful requests and seek advice before responding to detailed allegations. Follow existing court orders unless they are changed. Do not ask your child to choose sides or rehearse what to tell an investigator.

An allegation that is not proven does not automatically establish that your spouse knowingly lied. The court must distinguish a deliberate falsehood from a concern that the evidence did not support.

Is Lying During an Illinois Divorce Considered Perjury?

A knowingly false statement under oath about an important issue in the case meets the definition of perjury under 720 ILCS 5/32-2. This includes qualifying statements made during sworn testimony.

Not every incorrect statement is perjury. A mistaken date or an honest failure to remember an event is different from deliberately giving a false answer. Likewise, a lie told to friends is not perjury simply because it concerns your divorce.

Perjury is a criminal matter separate from the divorce case. Showing that your spouse gave false testimony does not automatically lead to criminal charges. Your divorce attorney’s immediate task is to correct the record and address how the statement affects the decisions before the judge.

Could Your Spouse Have to Pay Legal Fees Caused by False Claims?

Illinois law provides for a fee award when a hearing is brought or conducted for an improper purpose. Under 750 ILCS 5/508(b), those purposes include harassment, unnecessary delay, and actions that needlessly increase legal costs.

For example, a knowingly false claim used to force an unnecessary hearing could support a request for fees. The request should identify the improper conduct and the costs connected to that hearing.

Losing an argument does not automatically make your spouse responsible for your legal bill. The judge must find the required improper purpose. A fee request should therefore explain more than why your spouse’s version of events was rejected.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Divorce Lawyer

False accusations should be answered with a clear response focused on the issues before the court. At Fawell & Fawell, our attorney will help you challenge misleading claims and present your side of the case.

Attorney Alex Fawell brings 10 years of legal experience and a practical, results-oriented approach to family law matters. Contact our Wheaton, IL divorce attorney or call 630-871-2400 to schedule a free consultation.