How do you defend against a false domestic violence protective order? Spouse alleged that I said that I threatened to burn down the house with her and kids in it.

Never said it.

Second allegation: threw a prayer mat at spouse.

I picked up the prayer mat from the floor and tossed it on the bed. Not at her. I did because it is considered bad omen (per our religion) to have prayer mat open on the floor without no one praying on it. Prayer mat landed on the complete opposite side of the bed.

Besides A prayer mat is a 6x2 piece of cloth - hardly, can hurt anyone.

Third allegation: I threatened to commit suicide by ordering a book from Amazon on the topic of suicide - I did this just to learn about the topic after watching a 60 minutes story in which the book was talked about. Never said anything about committing suicide myself.

I’m out of the house, no car, can’t see the kids. I have hired a lawyer but so far so no concrete strategy from the lawyer, he has said that we will talk next week.

Spouse has a history of filing stuff and then withdrawing. Prior DVPO also filed and then withdrawn.

I get that the courts take the attitude of better safe than sorry in these cases.

But what is one to do? How do you defend against above? One person’s word against another? What are my chances if I let this go to trial? Even at trial is the approach still going to be: “better be safe than sorry”. Am I destined to loose with no recourse? I was trying to find statistics of successful defense but haven’t been able to find as of yet.

Can spouse bring additional allegations at trial that were not in original complaint?