Intro to Digital Divorce
In the course of a day, how many texts do you send? How many posts, comments, or check-ins on Facebook? How many emails sent or snaps shared? How many tweets and Instagram photos posted?
For many of us, we share a large part of our daily lives through our online activities and digital communications:
Text messaging users send or receive an average of 41.5 messages per day
Social media accounts for 18% of time spent online
The average American spends 40 minutes a day on their Facebook feed
So it’s not surprising that our use of social media and online/digital communications has forever altered the way people meet, fall in love, and divorce.
In family law, this is no longer a trend; it’s a fact of life. According to recent surveys of American Academy of Matrimonial Law (AAML) attorneys about divorce cases:
- 99% say text messages are increasingly used as evidence
- 97% have seen a dramatic increase in evidence obtained from smartphones
- 81% have used or encountered evidence obtained from social media
And that’s not all — social media use also contributes to jealousy, trouble or uneasiness in marital relationships and one in three divorces can now be attributed to online affairs.
In this guide, we will cover:
- How social media and digital communications affect relationships and marriages
- How and what evidence taken from social media and digital communications can be used in a divorce or child custody/support proceeding
- How to behave properly and protect oneself online, especially if you are getting or about to get divorced
- How to protect your privacy online during a divorce
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Best Lawyers
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Client testimonials
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"I knew I had a great team looking out for my best interest."My daughter is the sunshine of my life. I felt despair and a sense of helplessness on the day I was served. On the first appointment day when I arrived at the office and sat down with my lawyer, I knew I had made the right decision. From the beginning of my case to conclusion, I knew I had a great team looking out for my best interest (and the best interest of my child). Thank you McKinley Irvin!- Christine P.
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"Thanks for all the work for our family over the past year."Thanks for all the work for our family over the past year. We’re really glad you are on our side.- P.O.
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"I always felt my specific needs were very well represented and that I could count on David to be a trusted adviser."David remained very level headed and family focused throughout our proceedings. That said, I always felt my specific needs were very well represented and that I could count on David to be a trusted adviser during an otherwise difficult time.- T.M.
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"We would highly recommend the knowledgeable and dedicated law firm of McKinley Irvin to anyone who might be seeking legal services."In our search for a reputable law firm to handle my sister’s divorce case, we explored our options until we found the McKinley Irvin law firm. McKinley Irvin has, through our experience, proven to be compassionate, understanding and patient during the long term process of my sister’s case. Due to her disabilities she needed more than the legalities and McKinley Irvin was able to provide their knowledge as well as the assurance to my sister that her case would be handled in her best interest. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for all that the McKinley Irvin law firm has done for us. We would highly recommend the knowledgeable and dedicated law firm of McKinley Irvin to anyone who might be seeking legal services.- P.M.
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"I cannot imagine two people better able to represent me."Without David and Sam, there is no way I could have made it through this exceptionally difficult time in my life. I cannot imagine two people better able to represent me, nor a better firm to handle my affairs. You all have been wonderful!- M.L.
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"My attorney was very good in and out of the courtroom. Always kept me up to date on any issues that came up."My attorney was very good in and out of the courtroom. Always kept me up to date on any issues that came up and was very knowledgeable on custody issues.- R.R.
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"You all stood by me no matter how trying my case got. I always felt at ease knowing that you were there to guide me through this."I would like to give my sincere appreciation to Jennifer Payseno and staff. You all stood by me no matter how trying my case got. I always felt at ease knowing that you were there to guide me through this most difficult time. Thank you for not only being my attorney but becoming part of our extended family.- M.F.
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"Thank you very much for doing such a wonderful job. It has been a pleasure working with you."Dave, thank you very much for doing such a wonderful job. It has been a pleasure working with you.- R.C.