It is pretty common for people to create an online dating profile when they are getting divorced. However, if you are married, separated or going through a divorce, the information you share on dating sites like Match.com and eHarmony.com can be used as evidence against you in divorce proceedings, financial support disputes, and other important matters that will directly affect you. A survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) revealed that 59% of the nation’s top divorce attorneys have seen an increase in the number of cases where evidence is taken from dating websites. According to the president of AAML, “Dating website users can often face temptation to embellish some personal information on profiles, but this lack of honesty could prove costly for someone in the middle of a divorce or child custody case.” For example, saying you are single when you are not, or stating that you have no children when you actually do, can end up being key pieces of evidence against you during your divorce proceedings. Some of the key findings from AAML’s survey include:
- 59% of AAML members said they noticed an increase in the amount of evidence obtained from dating websites during the past three years.
- Match.com was the most popular website for online dating, accounting for 64% of the respondents. eHarmony was second at 9%, and 27% of respondents cited other choices.
- A person’s “Relationship Status” was the most common evidence cited in the survey, followed by “Salary and Occupation,” and then the “Parental Status” listed by users.
As you can see, this type of evidence can be very useful for cases involving abandonment, child custody disputes or suspicion of hidden assets. If you are going through a high value divorce, you should be wary of using an online dating profile during your divorce. Embellishing the truth or flat- out lying can have devastating effects on your divorce settlement. If you do choose to use an online dating profile during your divorce, it is best to be honest with how you portray yourself, though it might not be worth the risk. After all, do you want your next relationship to start with lies about who you really are? Are you going through a difficult divorce? Do you think your ex is concealing assets from you? We can help. Call 205- 422-0704 or contact our Birmingham divorce attorney to schedule a free case consultation today.