October 22, 2010 (Press-News.org) As we become a society more and more dependent on technology, social networking sites -- like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and even LinkedIn -- are rapidly turning into evidentiary jackpots for divorce attorneys and jilted spouses alike. Phony friend requests, drunken photos, brags about new purchases and even seemingly innocent status updates can all possibly be sources of information that could be used in a divorce or custody proceeding.
There is also the relatively new concept of online relationships, also called "cyber affairs" and "virtual affairs," that -- for some couples at least -- prove to be more devastating than physical ones.
Since life in the 21st century is so fast-paced, social networking sites are seen as a way to connect with people, even if for a fleeting moment. They are often used as a public forum to vent frustrations about work, a child, a spouse or life in general. They can also provide an instant ego boost: who wouldn't want to get compliments on a fancy new car, wardrobe update or attractive love interest? Those same seemingly innocent comments or photos could make your spouse's case in a divorce -- and could likewise break yours.
Protecting Your Privacy in a Public Forum
Although a private life on a public social networking site may seem like an oxymoron, you can proactively protect your interests and still enjoy the benefits of social networking sites if you:
- Are careful about who you "friend" - if you have established online relationships with your in-laws or mutual friends, resist the urge to go off on a rant about your spouse in a status update or post derogatory comments
- Actively manage your friend list - you might want to rethink staying connected to your mother-in-law while going through a divorce, for example
- Are wary of sudden friend requests from someone who you knew while married - that person could be attempting to gather information for your spouse, or could even be your spouse impersonating someone else
- If you have children, do not denigrate their other parent's actions or reputation online - your children, if they are of a certain age, are likely more tech savvy than you are and may be able to ferret out information you never meant them to see
- Avoid posting inappropriate pictures of yourself and inform all of your friends that they should do the same - a picture of you with a new romantic partner or in a drunken stupor can be extremely harmful in a divorce or custody case
- Don't lie in the "real world" about what you do online - the two can and will collide at some point in the future
You need not give up all online social activity just because you are going through a divorce. You do, however, need to be careful about what you say, who you associate with and what actions you take. Keeping these ideas in mind can allow you to rely upon to your online friends to get you through this difficult time without fear that you could be jeopardizing your case at the same time.
Article provided by Abbott & Abbott, P.C.
Visit us at www.abbottandabbott.net
Digging for the Dirt on Social Networking Sites
Phony friend requests, drunken photos, brags about new purchases and seemingly innocent status updates can all possibly be sources of information that could be used in a divorce or custody proceeding.
2010-10-22
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Proposed Texas Laws Would Increase DWI Punishment
2010-10-22
Horrific stories often inspire new legislation. When two-year-old Abdallah Khader was left severely brain damaged as a result of a drunk-driving accident, it did not take long for a legislator to take up his cause in the hopes of preventing similar incidents in the future.
Texas State Rep. Chris Turner recently announced his plans to introduce two pieces of legislation affecting those convicted of DWI. Named Abdallah's Laws, in honor of the injured boy, the proposed pieces of legislation would increase the penalties for some people convicted of drunk driving.
What ...
Federal Government Wants Easy Access to Wiretap Internet Communication
2010-10-22
The Obama administration has requested new regulations that would permit the obtaining of "wiretaps" for Internet communications. The regulations would require that communication providers allow wiretaps of their Internet.
"The way we communicate has changed dramatically since 1994, but telecommunications law has not kept up. This gap between reality and the law has created a significant national security and public safety problem," said Valerie E. Caproni, the FBI's General Counsel.
The Department of Justice and the FBI have been working for years to expand their ...
Protecting High School Athletes With Concussions and Head Injuries
2010-10-22
With several high school and collegiate athletes dying from head injuries sustained during football games this last year, concern over head injuries and concussions in athletes has become more prevalent around the country. Part of the renewed focus on athletic head injuries is a better understanding of the symptoms and ability to diagnose the condition.
Signs of a Concussion
It is often assumed that athletes suffer concussions when they lose consciousness or have difficulty remember or repeating things. However, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, most people ...
New Jersey One Step Closer to Creating Emergency Notification System
2010-10-22
Next-of-Kin Registry
The New Jersey legislature is paving the way to create a statewide voluntary program that would notify family members when a loved one has been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. Called the "Next-of-Kin" registry, anyone holding a valid state-issued identification card, including a driver's license or permit, would have the option of including the names and contact information of up to two people in an electronic database maintained by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Law enforcement personnel then could access this information in cases where ...
Georgia Negligent Security Claims
2010-10-22
Many people are unaware that business owners, landlords and other property owners owe them special duties of care while they are on the property. This includes the duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition, to warn of known dangers and to protect those who are legally on the property from certain harms. In some cases, these harms include criminal acts of others, such as physical assaults, sexual assaults and other intentional crimes.
Duty to Protect Against Foreseeable Crimes
In Georgia, a property owner of a business or apartment complex generally ...
National Trust Reveals Rare Thatched Moss Found on New Sites in Southern England
2010-10-22
The National Trust has reported that a rare and distinctive thatch moss, thought to have been on the verge of disappearing because of modern thatching techniques, has been discovered at ten new sites and mostly on buildings owned by the National Trust.
Before the latest discoveries, thatch moss, Leptodontium gemmascens, was only known to exist at a handful of sites in southern England.
Matthew Oates, Nature Conservation Adviser at the National Trust, said: "This survey shows that this endearing and harmless little moss has a real future and that it may be more widespread ...
npower Reveals Boiler Breakdowns are Brits' Biggest Bugbear
2010-10-22
npower has revealed the results of a nationwide study of Brits that shows many homeowners feel a boiler breaking down is the most annoying disruption to daily life.
The research, conducted by npower hometeam 50, shows that 37% of homeowners feel that a boiler breakdown would be the biggest inconvenience to their lives. That's compared to 18% who would curse having their car clamped, 13% who would lose it over misplacing their keys and just 6% who would get in a jam over being held up in traffic.
Even though boilers are often the most expensive item in the home, 59% ...
Chivalry Still Exists - for Broken Down Females
2010-10-22
More than two thirds of people would stop and help a female driver whose car had broken down, but male drivers are far more likely to be left stranded - according to an extensive survey of attitudes carried out by leading car insurance provider Kwik Fit Insurance.
Of nearly 13,000 people surveyed by Kwik Fit Insurance, 69% said they would be prepared to stop and help a stranded female driver, however, less than half (45%) would be willing to help a male driver in the same position.
Worries about personal safety proved to be the number one deterrent for the 63% of ...
Fantazzle Fantasy Sports Games Enters the 2010 NBA Season With its New Lineup of Fantasy Basketball Games
2010-10-22
Fantazzle Fantasy Games enters the 2010 NBA season with its new lineup of fantasy basketball games. In addition to their Weekly and Playoff Fantasy Basketball Salary Cap games, Fantazzle proudly introduces the Daily Fantasy Basketball Challenge and the Season Long Fantasy Basketball Salary Cap games to its lineup of fantasy basketball games.
The Daily Fantasy Basketball Challenge game is Fantazzle's first daily fantasy basketball game, and is played every day during the NBA season that there are at least three games on the NBA schedule. Fantasy users select a lineup ...
Colorado Chefs Will Prove They are Wine Savvy on November 4, 2010! Wine Country Network's "Taste of Elegance Food & Wine Competition" Will Be Held At the Mile High Station, Denver
2010-10-22
Wine Country Network, Inc, producers of the Denver International Wine Festival, have announced the list of chefs and restaurants that will compete at the festival's signature foodie event, The Taste of Elegance.
As many as 16 Wine Savvy Chefs compete to 32 make custom paired epicurean delights with Gold medal winning wines from the Denver International Wine Competition. Denver' premier annual foodie event has been graced by Colorado master chefs, including Top Chef Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg, who returns this year as a celebrity judge and host.
2010 Participating ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Insulin resistance is linked to over 30 diseases – and to early death in women, study of people in the UK finds
Innovative semaglutide hydrogel could reduce diabetes shots to once a month
Weight loss could reduce the risk of severe infections in people with diabetes, UK research suggests
Long-term exposure to air pollution and a lack of green space increases the risk of hospitalization for respiratory conditions
Better cardiovascular health in early pregnancy may offset high genetic risk
Artificial intelligence method transforms gene mutation prediction in lung cancer: DeepGEM data releases at IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer
Antibody–drug conjugate I-DXd shows clinically meaningful response in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
IASLC Global Survey on biomarker testing reveals progress and persistent barriers in lung cancer biomarker testing
Research shows pathway to developing predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors
Just how dangerous is Great Salt Lake dust? New research looks for clues
Maroulas appointed Associate Vice Chancellor, Director of AI Tennessee
New chickadee research finds cognitive skills impact lifespan
Cognitive behavioral therapy enhances brain circuits to relieve depression
Terasaki Institute awarded $2.3 Million grant from NIH for organ transplantation research using organs-on-a-chip technology
Atoms on the edge
Postdoc takes multipronged approach to muon detection
Mathematical proof: Five satellites needed for precise navigation
Scalable, multi-functional device lays groundwork for advanced quantum applications
Falling for financial scams? It may signal early Alzheimer’s disease
Integrating MRI and OCT for new insights into brain microstructure
Designing a normative neuroimaging library to support diagnosis of traumatic brain injury
Department of Energy announces $68 million in funding for artificial intelligence for scientific research
DOE, ORNL announce opportunity to define future of high-performance computing
Molecular simulations, supercomputing lead to energy-saving biomaterials breakthrough
Low-impact yoga and exercise found to help older women manage urinary incontinence
Genetic studies reveal new insights into cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
Researcher develops technology to provide cleaner energy and cleaner water
Expect the unexpected: nanoscale silver unveils intrinsic self-healing abilities
nTIDE September 2024 Jobs Report: Gains in employment for people with disabilities appear to level off after reducing gaps with non-disabled workers
Wiley enhances NMR Spectral Library Collection with extensive new databases
[Press-News.org] Digging for the Dirt on Social Networking SitesPhony friend requests, drunken photos, brags about new purchases and seemingly innocent status updates can all possibly be sources of information that could be used in a divorce or custody proceeding.