Queens Divorce and Family Law Attorney Bruce Feinstein, Esq. Speaks About the Impact of Technology on Divorce
Queens, NY (PRWEB) February 29, 2016 -- The growing influence of technology on society has led to great cultural advances, along with an increased playing field when it comes to satiating ones vices. Internet dating and cheating sites such as Tinder, Grindr, and Ashley Madison have opened up a Pandora’s box of ways for unfaithful spouses to have affairs. As technology continues to impact people’s lives, spouses have started using these sites as means to gather evidence for - and as grounds for - divorce in some states and countries.
Recent coverage from The Divorce Center started to hone in on the impact technology can have on divorce with their two-part February 2016 series, “How Technology Can Impact a Divorce Case.” It references a case in France in which a 45-year-old woman was judged as cheating on her husband of 18 years after sending messages and photographs to men she met on an Internet dating site. Although she never had physical contact with these men, the judge still granted the husband’s demand for a divorce, due to the wife’s “offensive” behavior.
Bruce Feinstein, Esq., a divorce and family law attorney in New York with nearly two decades of experience, has seen online infidelity play an increasing role in divorce cases in the U.S. as well. “It is important to note that in New York there are both ‘fault’ and ‘no fault’ grounds for divorce. But there are more and more instances of technology playing a role in the ultimate breakdown of the relationship.”
In New York, domestic relations law DRL 170(7) lays out the reasons, or grounds, a spouse may seek an action for divorce. One of these is no-fault divorce, in which the filing spouse shows that the marriage has been “irretrievably broken” for a period of at least six months. A fault-based divorce can be obtained in New York if one spouse proves cruel and inhumane treatment, abandonment for a period of at least one year, incarceration for at least three consecutive years, agreement of separation, or adultery.
On the ground of adultery, technology can still play a role in obtaining a divorce in New York. State law defines adultery as a spouse having sexual intercourse with a person who is not his or her spouse. One spouse must prove to the court with valid evidence that the other spouse’s adultery occurred. Mr. Feinstein explains, “While having a Tinder profile is not grounds for a fault-based divorce, spouses who hire an investigator to prove adultery may look to online dating sites the philandering spouse is using when gathering evidence.”
These recent cases and developments show just how rapidly technology is transforming the traditional definition of fidelity. “As these advances continue, spouses in divorce litigation will find technology playing a greater and greater role in their cases,” says Mr. Feinstein.
The Law Offices of Bruce Feinstein has nearly two decades of experience in divorce and family law, helping clients and families resolve their issues and move forward with their lives. If you are thinking of getting married or divorced and want more information visit feinsteindivorcelaw.com or call (718) 475-6039 to reach the New York office.
Bruce Feinstein, The Law Offices of Bruce Feinstein, Esq., PC, http://feinsteindivorcelaw.com, +1 (718) 475-6039, [email protected]
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