A surprising study discussed in the Wall Street Journal linked a connection to the internet to an increase in marriage rates. Surprisingly, the study found that marriage rates among young couples, which had been on the decline for years, are actually between 15 and 30 percent higher than they would be without the existence of… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Technology
Subscribe to Technology RSS FeedOpen a Bank Account and Support the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition
Posted in Financial Issues, Miscellaneous, Other Resources, TechnologyThe Upstate Fatherhood Coalition is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to help fathers overcome barriers which may be present in their lives which prevent them from being a responsible and involved father in their children’s lives. They have locations in Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina, but serve fathers from all the surrounding counties… Continue Reading
Five Ways to Use Technology to Help Bond with Your Children
Posted in Children, Communication, Relationships, Technology, VisitationHave you considered all of the many ways that you can use your smartphone, tablet, computer, or social media to promote closer bonding with your children? The following tips can help you do just that: Exploration :: The most magical thing about literature has always been its ability to provide a way for everyone to explore life,… Continue Reading
Rules for Proper Electronic Etiquette During Divorce
Posted in Communication, Discovery, Research & Investigation, Technology, Trial of CasesElectronic communications can get a lot of people in trouble. Mindlessly sending messages via text, email, or social networking sites without thinking has come back to haunt many people – increasingly, many people going through the process of divorce. The very strengths of these modes of communication (speed, convenience, and accessibility) are also what makes… Continue Reading
Facebook Post Leads to Deadbeat Dad’s Arrest for Failure to Pay Child Support
Posted in Child Support, Contempt of Court, Financial Issues, Research & Investigation, TechnologyAs previously discussed, people say and do stupid things on Facebook. More importantly, experienced attorneys are finding and using evidence obtained through Facebook posts more frequently, particularly in family law cases. Using a person’s own words (or photos) against them can be particularly damaging, especially when it harms their credibility by exposing their lies. For… Continue Reading
New Prenatal Paternity Test Could Lead To Legal Changes
Posted in Child Support, Financial Issues, Medical Issues, Paternity, TechnologyThe issue of paternity is an important one. Not only does it matter emotionally, but it is also an incredibly important legal (and financial) issue that impacts significant rights and obligations. In cases where paternity is not definitively known, determining who the father is as quickly as possible can be crucially important. Until recently those… Continue Reading
Mother Loses Custody of Children Thanks to Facebook Message
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, TechnologyA woman from New York has lost custody of her children and been barred from discussing them on social media sites after a series of inflammatory Facebook messages got her in serious trouble. The woman, identified only as “Melody M.,” admitted to a lower court judge in St. Lawrence County Family Court that she used… Continue Reading
Do You Have A Social Media Will?
Posted in Educational Resources, Miscellaneous, Practice Tips, TechnologySocial media is everywhere. Each of us will die one day. We would be well served to prepare for the convergence of those two realities. The following article from my friend, Tim Baran, does an excellent job addressing this topic, and he’s graciously agreed for me to republish it last week at The Mac Lawyer and again… Continue Reading
What to Look for to Catch Snooping Spouses
Posted in Research & Investigation, TechnologyA burgeoning spy tech industry has had an unintended consequence: a boom in prying spouses during divorce cases. Soon-to-be exes across South Carolina and the country are increasingly conducting surveillance against one another. A common worry among many facing a contentious divorces in Spartanburg and elsewhere is what information an ex might be able to… Continue Reading
Indiana Man Required to Support Artificially Conceived Children
Posted in Child Support, Children, Financial Issues, Medical Issues, Paternity, Relationships, TechnologyAccording to a court in Indiana, one man going through a recent divorce must pay child support for his son and daughter even though they were conceived via artificial insemination from another man’s sperm. The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected the man’s argument that he should not have to pay child support given that his… Continue Reading
Helping With Homework… Even from a Distance
Posted in Children, Communication, Educational Resources, Relationships, Technology, VisitationIf you are even remotely attuned to the world of technology, you have probably heard a mention or two of cloud computing. It’s the latest and greatest new thing to be introduced into our technology lexicon and is quickly becoming a tool that is indispensable at work and at home. A recent article on WiseBread.com… Continue Reading
Spying During Divorce Becoming Big Business
Posted in Discovery, Divorce, Research & Investigation, TechnologyThe Wall Street Journal recently wrote a lengthy article discussing a recent boom in business related to spying on spouses prior to and during a divorce. A combination of suspicious husbands and wives along with increasingly affordable high-tech gadgets have made it much easier for ordinary people to spy on their significant others. It used… Continue Reading
Police Use Facebook To Track Down Delinquent Dad
Posted in Child Support, Contempt of Court, D.S.S. Issues, Financial Issues, Jurisdiction, Research & Investigation, TechnologyWe have previously written about the dangers associated with Facebook when it comes to divorce, but we’ve never talked about the impact Facebook can have on child support arrangements. It’s common knowledge that South Carolina Family Court and law enforcement agencies are aiming to ensure that parents who owe court-ordered child support fulfill their financial… Continue Reading
Divorce Gets Nasty Online
Posted in Child Custody, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Divorce, Harassment, Relationships, Separation, TechnologyEmail, texting and social media can all be effective means of communication for couples going through divorce. They often work well because they can help minimize “in person encounters” which are more prone to create friction. However, the electronic avenues of communication can be used for bad, often at the children’s expense. In a small… Continue Reading
Five “Do Not’s” for Those Going Through Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Communication, Divorce, Financial Issues, Practice Tips, Psychological Issues, Relationships, Research & Investigation, Separation, TechnologyThe Huffington Post recently published a list of five tips for men going through a divorce. However, a quick look reveals that the tips are applicable to any parent embroiled in the difficult process. In addition to the tips listed below, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced South Carolina family law attorney… Continue Reading
Spartanburg Family Lawyer Ben Stevens Discusses Gray Divorce
Posted in Assets and Debts, Divorce, Educational Resources, Financial Issues, Marriage, Relationships, Separation, TechnologyLast week, I published an article about the increasing trend of older couples getting divorced, which has become known as “gray divorce.” I was interviewed this week by Colin O’Keefe of LXBN TV on this topic. Is this trend due to changes in the economy, advances in technology, or poor communication? Watch the interview below to… Continue Reading
Facebook Named in One-Third of All Divorce Filings
Posted in Communication, Discovery, Divorce, Educational Resources, Marriage, Practice Tips, Relationships, Research & Investigation, Separation, Technology, Trial of CasesFacebook has made news this week thanks to its somewhat lackluster IPO. It’s now in the news for a different and surprising reason, a survey revealed that in 2011 one-third of all divorce filing contained the word “Facebook.” The Wall Street Journal mentioned the shocking statistic and highlighted the news that 80% of U.S. divorce… Continue Reading
Virtual Visitation Connects Parents With Their Out-of-State Children
Posted in Child Custody, Children, Communication, Relationships, Technology, VisitationA not uncommon occurrence following divorce is one parent moving out of the city or even state. New job opportunities, family times or new relationships can cause one parent to need to relocate. When kids are involved this can cause problems and much stress for parents and children as they worry about a strained relationship… Continue Reading
Facebook and Electronic Stupidity Come Back To Haunt Some in Divorce Cases
Posted in Divorce, Separation, TechnologyFor many people Facebook is fun and harmless (unless you consider the amount of time wasted) diversion. They spend time talking with friends, looking at pictures, getting reacquainted with people from their past. However, the innocuous website has become a big player in marriage breakdowns as more and more spouses are getting caught sending inappropriate… Continue Reading
How to Responsibly Use Social Media During a Divorce
Posted in Divorce, Relationships, Separation, TechnologyDivorce is a messy process. For years couples have had to deal with the accompanying feelings of anger and hurt. Couples facing divorce today have to deal with the same anger and hurt but have one difference: the abundance of electronic outlets for venting that frustration. The blown off steam is ultimately shared not only… Continue Reading
Guest Post :: Social Media and Divorces – Examining the Impact of Facebook and Twitter on Relationships
Posted in Divorce, Research & Investigation, TechnologyIt is no secret that divorce rates have ballooned enormously over the past few decades. As per the latest statistics, over 1 million children had to endure the divorce of their parents in the year 2010. But certain things have changed in the internet age. Today, social media, whether it is Facebook, MySpace or Twitter,… Continue Reading
Can Facebook Make You Get Divorced?
Posted in Divorce, TechnologyA recent article proclaimed "Facebook Will Make You Get Divorced". Really?? Make?? I don’t think so! Has Facebook led to many divorces? Absolutely. However, the real issue at play here is not Facebook, but rather the fact that the spouse is "emotionally available", as explained by Dr Steven Kimmons, a clinical psychologist and marriage counselor at Loyola University Medical Center. … Continue Reading
Guest Post :: 4 Ways to Stay Close to Kids Even When Away
Posted in Children, Technology, VisitationWhether it’s because of custody or an international business trip, parents and their children must sometimes cope with extended periods of separation. If you’re worried that your being away too often and too long is hurting your young child’s emotional present and future, use modern day technology to bridge the gap. Dallas psychologist Ann Dunnewold,… Continue Reading
How to Protect Your Social Media Sites During Family Court Litigation
Posted in Research & Investigation, Technology, Trial of CasesIf you use social media and are involved in an active Family Court case (or think that you might be in the future), consider the following tips and suggestions to protect yourself (and your case): Remember that information posted on your social media sites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) is very likely to be used as evidence in… Continue Reading