There have been several media sources warning spouses to be selective about what personal information they post on social media and other Internet sites. Connecticut spouses may be among those who are concerned about reports that the Ashley Madison website had been hacked and whether the information obtained can be used against them in a divorce. Ashley Madison is a discreet online destination that facilitates extramarital affairs.
It was reported that user data had been stolen from the cheaters’ site, and the hackers threatened to publish the information if the site was not shut down. How is evidence of infidelity treated in a divorce case? It turns out that evidence indicating a spouse’s membership to such a website would not typically have any impact on a divorce case. As long as a spouse’s cheating does not adversely affect the couple’s children.
One other aspect of extra-marital affairs that may interest a judge is whether marital assets were used to fund the unfaithfulness. Membership fees to such a website, along with any money spent on gifts, hotels and other expenses, may be scrutinized to determine whether it was funded by marital money sources. Suspecting spouses may find entries for high restaurant bills, airfares, lingerie and jewellery on credit card statements.
Connecticut spouses who suspect infidelity and the spending of marital funds on an extra-marital relationship may benefit from consulting with an experienced divorce attorney. Such a professional may have access to resources that focus on investigating deceiving financial activities and hidden assets. If such activities are found, an attorney can work on having unlawfully spent monies reimbursed to the marital assets.
Source: cnbc.com, “Ashley Madison hack: evidence for divorce?”, Jacqueline Newman, July 21, 2015