Cyber-hacking during divorce proceedings

In today’s digital age, many people think they have access to everything. From social media to shopping, and dating, technology seems to make this crucial information easily available. But relationships are complex and no technological advancement or research has the answer. The internet has affected the way we communicate. Nothing is private as they say. It’s actually owned by the site or company you trusted. Even interaction through social media platforms and email accounts is vulnerable. In other words, you can be hacked and valuable information can be stolen. This has become a popular tactic some people filing for divorce might use. Besides being unethical, it is also illegal. It is definitely not a good idea if you have children since you will have to negotiate with your former spouse a divorce settlement, which includes important aspects such as child custody, child support, property division, alimony, and so on.

Wiretap Act

This is a federal law, which protects the privacy of an individual when communicating with others. It is illegal to hack electronic or oral communication by using a device. While some information can be very useful during divorce proceedings and it is tempting to hack this information, the legal and moral implications can be disastrous.

Problems with permission

Some helpless spouses feel that hacking their spouse’s accounts is not a big deal. There are times when someone suspects a spouse is cheating and they might hack a computer to gather information that proves it. Consequently, the hacker may face felony charges and the couple will end up in divorce court.

When an attorney gets involved

Some attorneys may use this illegal route to win a case. It sounds very appealing to the client but it is completely illegal. Attorneys can only access information legally available to them or to the public. Some attorneys’ licenses are suspended when they hack into someone’s email account. When an attorney withholds illegal information he or she is violating the Code of Professional Conduct.

When a divorcee crosses the line

The same rule applies to individuals who hack information in order to gain advantage or to get an edge in their divorce case. If the spouse can prove the information was hacked, the evidence is not admissible. It is illegal to investigate a former spouse’s whereabouts. There are other ways to have a successful divorce.

It doesn’t matter how difficult the divorce process might be, hacking is not the answer. A Aventura divorce attorney can handle that job. If the judge suspects you hacked your ex, your credibility will be less and your spouse will become the victim. Don’t put yourself in this type of situation and if your former spouse is the one hacking you, make sure you prove that in court with the help of an experienced family law attorney.