Filing Suit

[AnOhioDad]

I have been accused of being the father of a child born out of wedlock. There are multiple candidates as to who the father is but as we are awaiting the results of the paternity test the mother of the child has taken it upon herself to tell anyone who will listen that I am the father - this has included calling my family and six year old daughter ( I am a divorced single parent ). Needless to say this has caused a lot of anxiety in all aspects of my life - my question is if these allegations are proven false do I have grounds for a slander / liable suit ? I know this doesn't necessarily fall into this topic but I would appreciate any advice !

Thanks !

AnOhioDad

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

I have been accused of being the father of a child born out of wedlock. There are multiple candidates as to who the father is but as we are awaiting the results of the paternity test the mother of the child has taken it upon herself to tell anyone who will listen that I am the father - this has included calling my family and six year old daughter ( I am a divorced single parent ). Needless to say this has caused a lot of anxiety in all aspects of my life - my question is if these allegations are proven false do I have grounds for a slander / liable suit ? I know this doesn't necessarily fall into this topic but I would appreciate any advice !

Thanks !

AnOhioDad

My response:

Slander is only actionable when the stories she's telling cause you damages to your career, job, profession, or personal life; i.e., the people to whom she is telling must also "believe" what she's saying, causing them to affect your profession or other job, and / or shun you and affect your relationship with them in some meaningful and detrimental manner.

Libel (not "liable") is defamation in "written form"; e.g., she has tacked up posters around town, or had a newspaper print her story, or has written to your supervisor, or other persons, that would believe her and thus, affect something in your life to your detriment.

IAAL