Looking for a Match? Try After the Divorce

The website reads 1 in 5 Relationships Start Online & More of Them Start at Match.com. What really matters is how you are putting yourself out there if you are in the middle of a divorce.

A few years ago, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) made news with a survey citing feedback from their members of an uptick in the use of evidence gleaned from social media during litigated divorce proceedings. That survey named Facebook and other sites as targets for easy acquisition of information on opposing parties.

A recent survey by the AAML again notes an increase in evidence used by its members in pursuing the interests of their clients. This time, dating websites are the subject of the upswing in evidentiary interest, and Match.com leads the pack.

The survey notes the following:

• Of attorneys practicing divorce and family law, 59 percent saw an increase in cases using evidence gained from dating websites
• Match.com was named by 64 percent of respondents as the most used source for cultivating personal information for clients, while eHarmony was second

You might wonder what type of information provided on dating websites could prove damaging in a divorce case. Top types of damaging evidence involve misrepresentations made by the party seeking a prospective match, including:

• Actual marital status
• Salary and occupation
• Whether they are a parent

Used in divorce and custodial proceedings, misleading statements made on a social media site can create a lot of unwanted attention.

Steer clear of social media during divorce. Assume anything you post, and whichever box you tick, is an easy pick for a court of law. When you need strategic legal advice about an online post or a divorce proceeding, speak with our law firm.