My wife took out a 50b and said I was abusing my daughter but it was dropped. What should I do now to stop this?

If the 50B was dismissed or denied, the first thing I would do is obtain and keep a complete copy of the complaint, any temporary order, and the final dismissal or order from the court.

If the allegations involved abuse of your daughter and there is an ongoing custody case, you should discuss the situation with a North Carolina family law attorney. Custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child, and the court may consider all relevant circumstances surrounding allegations of domestic violence or child abuse.

There is no simple way to prevent someone from filing another 50B if that person claims new acts of domestic violence have occurred. However, if there is a pattern of knowingly false or improperly motivated court filings, your attorney can evaluate whether additional relief may be appropriate, including whether the conduct should be addressed in the custody case or whether sanctions may be available under Rule 11.

I would also be very careful about direct communication with your wife concerning the allegations. Keep communications appropriate and preferably in writing, preserve texts, emails, court documents, medical or school records that may be relevant, and follow every existing custody or protective order exactly.

Most importantly, have an attorney review why the 50B was “dropped.” A voluntary dismissal is different from a judge hearing the evidence and finding that grounds for a domestic violence protective order were not proven, and that distinction can matter in deciding what to do next.