Technology and Your Divorce

Whether through Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Tinder-- there are now endless opportunities for us to communicate. More than ever before, technology is at the forefront of many divorce cases. What used to be a matter of "he said, she said", is now timestamped and available for the world to see, immortalized by the internet. While increased communication can often be a positive thing, it can also be a factor

leading to divorce as well as exacerbating an ongoing case.

Text messages and Facebook posts are some of the most common sources of evidence in a divorce-- parties will exchange messages while in an argument, and unlike a verbal confrontation, these words don't disappear when the argument ends. These messages are admissible in evidentiary hearings and are often used to impeach, or prove untrue, a witness' testimony.

Technology can also make infidelity easier than ever. Though social media can provide a positive outlet and simplify connections, what may begin as an innocent friend request from an old girlfriend or boyfriend can quickly escalate into a something that is damaging to a parties' marriage, thanks to the immediacy and convenience that social media and text provide. Remember that even a private message may not stay private for long, and may be introduced as evidence against you.

A good rule to consider when texting your spouse-- "Would I be willing to say this to their face?" If you can't answer in the affirmative, reconsider hitting "send". Remember how easy it is to misinterpret a text or email, and how impossible it is to erase them.