October 31, 2011 – According to a recent Nielsen analysis, approximately135 million Americans visit Facebook each month. That number represents 70% of the nation total internet users. The analysis reported an average monthly usage of more than seven hours per person—far above the time spent on popular sites such as Amazon and Google.
What do these statistics have to do with divorce litigation in this country? More than you might imagine. Four out of five lawyers polled in a 2010 survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reported an increasing number of divorce cases in the past five years that include evidence culled from social networking sites, the market leader of which is Facebook. In fact, the majority of the divorce attorneys surveyed ranked Facebook as the “primary source” of evidence in divorce proceedings, distantly followed by evidence gathered on MySpace and Twitter.
Websites make it easy to catch people doing things they don’t want their estranged spouses or their divorce attorneys to know about. Incriminating photos and other information gleaned from social media sites can seriously impact child custody disputes and alimony fights. Posting information that is in contradiction to assertions made in the course of a divorce proceeding is another commonly made mistake. An indiscreet parent could easily lose custody, alimony or both due to inappropriate behavior exhibited or discussed online.
If you don’t want to have to explain your posts, tweets or photographs to a judge in divorce court, think carefully before you “share.” Review your friends and privacy settings on Facebook and other social websites. Don’t inadvertently give access to your information to your ex, your ex’s friends or lawyer. In fact, you are well advised to follow these guidelines even if you are not in the midst of a divorce.
A good divorce attorney will warn you about social media sites. There are few things that can sink your case like your own words or pictures posted on a social media site for all to see. It’s up to you to prevent that from happening, and to prevent the opposition from gathering “free” evidence.
Even when a marriage is breaking up for reasons that don’t involve the internet, the services of an experienced New Jersey divorce attorney are crucial to the best possible outcome of a bad situation. Cherry Hill divorce lawyer Richard C. Klein, Esq., and his staff of knowledgeable South Jersey divorce lawyers will represent your point-of-view, defend your rights, and seek a resolution of your divorce matter that protects your needs. Call our office today to schedule an appointment to discuss your rights and concerns.