Florida Divorce Law Firm
If you have ever watched a courtroom drama, you are likely familiar with the question, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” This question, or some variation of this question, is posed to witnesses before they testify before a judge under oath. But testifying as a witness in court is not the only time this question is asked of individuals affected by legal disputes. Such a question is also generally posed in either verbal or written form before individuals give depositions and before they submit certain kinds of documentation to the court that possesses legal effect. This is true in divorce and other family law cases, as well as personal injury cases, contract disputes, criminal law matters, and a host of other legal scenarios.
When you submit any documentation to the court that has legal effect, you generally do so either under oath or subject to penalty if it is proven to be falsified or incomplete. It is for this reason that you need to be exceptionally careful not to exaggerate (either positively or negatively) when filling out divorce documents that will be submitted to the court. Doing so may leave you vulnerable to significant penalties. When you work with an experienced Tampa, FL divorce attorney at The McKinney Law Group, we will do our best to ensure that you understand how important it is to be honest when providing information about your assets, etc. that will be submitted to the court for its evaluation.
For example, if you are concerned that the court may award a significant amount of spousal support to your spouse and this reality makes you very upset, know that you’re not alone. Many individuals recoil at the idea of paying spousal support to someone who doesn’t need it, has behaved in a hurtful way or who behaves in ways that are entitled. But there are better ways to deal with your fears and frustrations than falsifying documentation, hiding assets or otherwise compromising the integrity of the information you provide to the court. Working with our experienced Florida divorce law firm to create a solid legal strategy will place you in the best possible position to obtain a fair divorce settlement. On the other hand, compromising the integrity of the information you submit to the court could lead to financial penalties, an unfair settlement or even jail time.
If you lie under oath, even if it is by filling out financial documentation incorrectly or incompletely, you could be charged with perjury. Perjury is a serious charge and is considered to be a crime against justice itself. For this reason, judges tend to treat those who commit perjury harshly. It is vitally important to avoid committing perjury if you have not already done so. If you have committed perjury, it is critical to speak with our Florida divorce law firm so that we can help you minimize the damage.
Legal Help Is Available
If you have questions about the divorce process, please do not hesitate to speak with our Florida divorce law firm. Our lawyers specialize in this area of law and will be able to advise you of your legal options so that you can make informed decisions about your process, regardless of whether you have committed wrongdoing or you suspect that your spouse has falsified documents submitted to the court. Not all answers to situations like these are immediately apparent, but seeking experienced counsel can aid you in finding necessary answers as soon as possible.