**Credibility** in a family law bench trial refers to how trustworthy and believable a party or witness appears to the judge who is deciding the case. Since there is no jury in a bench trial, the judge evaluates the facts and makes determinations based on the evidence and the reliability of the people presenting it. A **credibility finding** is the judge's assessment of how credible (or believable) a party or witness is during the trial. The judge looks at several factors to make this determination: - **Consistency of Testimony:** Are the statements made by the party or witness consistent throughout the trial? Contradictions can reduce credibility. - **Demeanor:** How the party or witness behaves while testifying, such as body language, tone, and eye contact, can influence the judge's perception of truthfulness. - **Motive or Bias:** The judge considers whether the person has any reason to lie or exaggerate, such as financial gain, custody advantage, or personal revenge. - **Supporting Evidence:** A party's credibility is enhanced if their testimony is supported by documents, witnesses, or other forms of reliable evidence. - **Past Conduct:** Prior instances of dishonesty or bad behavior, even outside the courtroom, can impact a judge's credibility finding. In family law cases, credibility is crucial because many issues, like custody or spousal support, rely on the judge's belief in the parties' statements. If a judge finds a party lacks credibility, it can severely undermine their case.