One thing that is often asked of any Chicago divorce attorney is how likely it is that social media can be used to prove adultery in a divorce case. The way that we use technology now can impact our lives in profound ways, and this is no different. Under Illinois state law, no reason is needed other than “irreconcilable differences” to dissolve a marriage. However, if one party can prove that the other party committed adultery through no cause or provocation, then the courts are likely to support the desires of the wronged party when it comes to things such as alimony and other arrangements.
How This Chicago Divorce Attorney Sees Social Media Being Used in Court
There are many ways that social media and technology can be used to commit adultery, such as:
- Using dating apps to meet other people.
- Using Facebook and other social platforms to reconnect with old flames.
- Using an anonymous website dedicated to “hook ups” and adultery.
- Using email, texting, or other forms of digital communication to arrange meetings, send and receive photos, and more.
In the event that one party discovers that the other has been using social media to commit adultery, they likely have screenshots of the activity. Any social media posts or profile information such as dating profiles, that are publically available on the Internet, may be submitted to the courts for evidence of adultery.
It can be difficult to prove that the information is real, and not fabricated by the wronged party, but in most cases, the courts can use the evidence from the websites, such as time stamps, IP addresses, and other information, to prove the owner and author of these posts or profiles.
What Should You Do if You Find Digital Evidence of Adultery?
If you find evidence that your spouse has committed adultery online, or through other digital means, the first thing to do is to take screenshots or email the information to yourself. Don’t just collect the links to the posts or profiles – there is always the chance that the posts or profiles can be deleted. The next step is to contact a Chicago divorce attorney to begin the process of preserving this evidence. If you have a question about how Divorce Lawyers Chicago can help you with a divorce resulting from online adultery, please call us at 312-621-5234.
