The Nasty, Messy, High-Tech World of Divorce
Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:51AM EDT
See Comments (15)
Things not going so well with the old ball and chain? You might have more to worry about on your computer than the usual garden-variety viruses and spyware: Estranged couples are increasingly turning to technology to gather evidence about what one side of the couple is doing when the other isn't around.
A story in the New York Times states that electronic surveillance is an epidemic in the world of divorce. One lawyer says it has "completely changed" divorce proceedings as we know them.
The tactics range from the simple stealing of a BlackBerry to the planting of GPS tracking systems on automobiles. The installation of keylogger software or hardware on the other side's computer is exceptionally common. The goal in all of these cases is to gather detailed evidence about the other side, typically with the intent of being able to prove the spouse is cheating. (We've already seen how automated toll-paying systems are helping bust cheaters due to the records kept by the devices' billing systems.)
Be careful, the piece notes: You really do get what you pay for. While in the old days divorces were settled after mere allegations and suspicions were levied, today's can come with printouts of detailed, word-for-word messages to a mistress and, gulp, explicit pictures and even video of what they're doing together. It may be too much for many to handle... a word to the wise no matter which side of the divorce equation you might find yourself on.
LINK: Tell-All PCs and Phones Transforming Divorce [NYTimes Registration Required]
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7 Posted by vickycoleen2000 on Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse
More so than for proof in court, would be just to have the certain knowledge of what's going on. Not just with spouses, but children also. If it's your own personal computer at home, I feel that you have the right.
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8 Posted by richardl7451@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse
I found my proof by looking through a billfold left on the kitchen table. Not everything has to be high-tech. Stupidity reigns.
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9 Posted by classicrattan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't believe the case of a cheating spouse is a big issue in the court systems these days. I don't think the victimized spouse would receive a better settlement. " The only person who receives a better settlement is the woman.
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10 Posted by chuckone@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I work in a law office. Most of the time, divorces are no-fault now. Regardless of whether someone is cheating or not, when one party tosses allegations of any kind at the other, the allegations have to be answered in court. That costs time, and a whole lot more money for both parties. I have seen people who are divorcing spend tens of thousands of dollars on divorce just because they want to be right. Stupid. Stupid, stupid, double stupid. No divorce lawyer is going to wring your neck and MAKE you pay to extend your divorce case for several years. You employ the lawyer, not the other way around. Don't be stupid. It doesn't matter if you have all the concrete proof in the world that your spouse is a cheater. Cite irreconcilable differences and get it done fast if you want to have any money left at all.
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11 Posted by texas_bigblue_girl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse
bannaged, that was a really stupid thing to say, do u realise your mum is a woman!
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12 Posted by jamestexastulip on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
it is only going to get worst!!!
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13 Posted by stephensflickr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:41PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a divorce lawyer in Oregon. We are, as are the majority of states, "no fault" divorce states. Evidence of infidelity is rarely heard by the court and not considered relevant
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14 Posted by bankoleyemi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse
Why do people waste their precious time looking for evidence that their spouse is cheating, instead of spending that time doing what they should do to prevent them cheating in the first place? Only someone who does not want to make any effort to keep his/her marriage would do a thing like that. CONGRATULATIONS to those who are married and aim to remain so. It takes 2 to keep it going.
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15 Posted by dzwehl@att.net on Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:14AM EST Report Abuse
it is called communication, something that not alot of people are good at any more.instead of trying to work the problems out it is easier to file for divorce.the only people who win is the lawers,you dont win,she doesnt win, the kids dont win.only the LAWERS WIN!!!!!
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6 Posted by navcat_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse
First of all, something is lacking in a marriage to cause either spouse to look outside of the marriage for satisfaction. Believe me, you can sit in a house full of mementos while your family interacts around you, and be very lonely for years. Playing the game of marriage is a silly social standard set by religious fanatics. Cheating has gone on sense men and women started choosing mates, and will continue reguardless of the high tech surveillance available to invade their personal life. It's time for the courts to stop admittiance of such so called "proof of cheating" into evidence. As we all are aware of, anything can be made to look like something that it isn't, and anyone's name can be attached to it.