Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Texas

Re: defamation of character

publishing an untrue statement impugning your character or reputation is a libel (slander is for oral statements). You have the right to sue this neighbor and damages are presumed. In these cases, however, the amount of damages are difficult to quantify. I doubt that your neighbor has insurance for defamation, so if you are successful, you would have to try to seize bank accounts or other property exempt from judgment in Texas. Further, the neighbor may have the opportunity to declare bankruptcy and discharge the entire judgment amount.