The Issue: Enforcing Fraud Accountability in Family Court Family courts are intended to protect children and promote their safety and well-being. However, when individuals knowingly commit fraud—by making false allegations, submitting fabricated evidence, or providing dishonest sworn testimony—the system can be manipulated in ways that harm families and undermine justice. In criminal law, filing a false police report or committing fraud carries serious consequences because deception wastes resources and can irreparably damage innocent lives. Yet in family court, similar acts—such as knowingly false claims of abuse, neglect, or misconduct—often go unpunished, even when proven untrue. This lack of enforcement creates an environment where dishonesty can be used as a strategic advantage in custody disputes. The consequences of unchecked fraud in family court are significant: • Children may lose meaningful relationships with loving parents • Court proceedings become longer, more costly, and more adversarial • Families face emotional and financial hardship • Judicial resources are diverted away from legitimate cases involving real danger • Parental conflict intensifies—one of the strongest predictors of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues in children (American Psychological Association; Kelly & Emery, 2003) Fraud in family court not only harms individual families—it also weakens the credibility of legitimate claims and erodes public trust in the system. ⸻ The Need for Enforcement and Reform To restore integrity and fairness, New York State must strengthen the enforcement of laws already designed to prevent fraud and perjury. We are calling for common-sense accountability measures, including: • Strict enforcement of perjury laws when a party knowingly makes false statements under oath • Recognition of intentional fraud—including fabricated evidence or false allegations—as conduct warranting meaningful consequences • Consistent penalties comparable to those for filing false police reports, including appropriate civil or criminal consequences • Judicial consideration of proven fraud in custody and parenting time determinations • Authority for courts to impose sanctions, including attorney fee reimbursement or other penalties when fraud is established • Expedited procedures to identify and address fraudulent claims early in proceedings ⸻ Protecting Truth While Supporting Legitimate Claims This effort is not about discouraging legitimate reports of abuse or safety concerns. Protecting true victims must always remain the highest priority. This reform is about intentional deception—ensuring that individuals who knowingly misuse the court system through fraud are held accountable. Without enforcement, false claims increase conflict, harm children, and reduce confidence in the family court system. ⸻ Why This Matters Children deserve stability, honesty, and access to safe, loving parents. A system that tolerates fraud risks making decisions based on false information—directly undermining the best interests of the child. If fraud and false reporting are taken seriously in other areas of law, they must be treated with the same level of seriousness in family court—where the stakes are often even higher. ⸻ Call to Action We respectfully urge New York State leaders to strengthen enforcement of fraud and perjury laws in family court proceedings. Sign and share this petition to protect children, reduce unnecessary conflict, and restore integrity to the family court system. ⸻ Email Template to Legislators Subject: Request for Legislative Action to Address Fraud in New York Family Court Dear Senator/Assembly Member, I am a constituent writing to request your support for stronger enforcement and accountability measures addressing fraud in New York Family Court proceedings. Family Court decisions directly impact the safety, stability, and long-term well-being of children. However, the current system lacks meaningful enforcement when a party knowingly submits false statements, fabricated evidence, or otherwise engages in fraudulent conduct. When fraud goes unaddressed, the consequences can be severe—wrongful loss of parenting time, prolonged litigation, emotional harm to children, and increased strain on court resources. It also undermines the credibility of legitimate claims and erodes public trust in the system. I respectfully urge you to support or introduce legislation that would: • Establish clear consequences for fraudulent conduct in Family Court • Enforce perjury standards consistently and effectively • Allow courts to impose sanctions, including attorney fee reimbursement, when fraud is proven • Require judicial findings when credible evidence of intentional deception is presented These reforms would not discourage legitimate safety concerns. Instead, they would promote honesty, reduce unnecessary conflict, and ensure that Family Court decisions are based on accurate and reliable information. Many New York families are calling for greater accountability. Strengthening enforcement against fraud would be a meaningful step toward a more fair and effective system that truly prioritizes children’s best interests. I would appreciate your position on this issue and whether you would support legislative action to address fraud in Family Court. Thank you for your time and service to our community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Email Address] [Phone Number] ⸻ Call Script “Hello, my name is ______, a constituent from ______, ZIP code ______. I’m calling to ask the Senator/Assembly Member to support legislation that strengthens enforcement against fraud in New York Family Court, including meaningful consequences when intentional deception is proven. There is growing public support for this issue, and I would appreciate a response regarding their position. You can reach me at [your phone/email]. Thank you.”