The rapid growth of social media in the last decade has had a profound impact on the lives of couples in Arizona and around the nation, but a new survey demonstrates that all of that additional on-line socialization may present new divorce risks. The temptation to touch base with old relationships from previous years is cited as a common cause of friction leading to divorce.
The survey addressed the concerns of 2,000 married British residents who were regular users of sites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, Skype and WhatsApp. Of the respondents to the poll, 58 percent said that they were able to access their partners’ accounts using their passwords, whether or not the password had been given over voluntarily.
A related survey of divorce lawyers from 2010 showed that 81 percent of attorneys had perceived an increase in the role that social media played in divorce proceedings. The divorce lawyers who participated in the survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers stated that Facebook was the first place they looked for evidence, and 66 percent of them said they had found evidence by checking the site.
Coping with a variety of divorce legal issues can be challenging, and seeking the support of an attorney may be helpful. Divorce lawyers can start assisting their clients in reviewing the provisions of any prenuptial agreements that may have been signed. A number of issues can come up during the process of divorce, including questions about spousal and child support, custody of children and the division of marital property. It is often possible for an attorney to assist a client in the negotiation and preparation of a comprehensive settlement agreement that will address these matters.