Texas Divorcing Couples Should Guard Their Privacy

July 01, 2012

In a divorce, former spouses are known to use every bit of information available to gain an advantage, be it for custody of a child or the division of assets. The need for information to gain position over one party raises privacy concerns. The interception and misuse of confidential information sway the judge on a contested issue.

Primarily, it used to be through word of mouth that private information was conveyed, but now technologies like the Internet and social media play an important role in privacy during and after divorce.

Passwords

After divorce, there is no longer a need for a former spouse to know the other's passwords for social media websites or voicemail. Control over this information should remain private and inaccessible to outside parties.

Bank Accounts and Credit Cards

Often couples share joint accounts while in a relationship, but former spouses should not be to be linked to each other's banking or credit cards. Ex-spouses should establish individual accounts in their own names. Another measure individuals often overlook is renting their own safety deposit boxes to store personal important documents and valuables.

Postal Mail

A spouse who moves out of the shared residence should arrange to have mail forwarded to the new address. This is a crucial step to ensure the security of private information like bank statements and personal letters. Such information should not be in the hands of another party, including a former spouse.

Cellphones

Another area of concern is the private information transmitted to cellphones. This confidential information includes a text messages and calls made and received. A person who has a cellphone on a shared contract with a former spouse should contact the company in order to obtain new service.

Courts in Texas have typically found in favor of the party whose personal information was compromised, but in something like divorce proceedings, information can be powerful and even damning. To avoid unnecessary complications and heartache, divorcing spouses will benefit from the advice of an experienced divorce attorney about privacy issues.

Article provided by Richard T Bell & Associates PC
Visit us at www.rtbell-law.com