If you are getting a divorce, take advantage of email. Emails can be used as evidence. An email exchange showing a spouse being unreasonable or disrespectful over a long period of time can impact the ruling of the court, say, for instance, in child custody proceedings. Judges do not tolerate this kind of behavior or treatment. It is counterproductive to co-parenting, and can result in a change of custody. The court may allow the mistreated party to make custody decisions without participation from the abusive spouse.
Email can do its fair share of damage, too. While email can turn the process in your favor at the expense of your ex’s claims, it could also turn the case against you. The prejudice can result in serious issues. Consider these tips to keep you on the right track while minimizing exposure and giving you a fighting chance towards a favorable outcome.
- Change your passwords. To be safe from a snooping spouse, change your passwords every so often. You don’t want to make yourself vulnerable. It is always smart to change passwords from time to time. Passwords should be kept private. Do not share them to anyone, even your spouse.
- No to ‘auto-save’. In urban areas where rent is high, chances are you and your ex will be staying in one place until your divorce is finalized. Turn off auto-saved passwords, especially for financial institutions. On Chrome, use the button on the far-right side of the browser toolbar to get to the option menu. Choose the settings menu option. Click ‘show advanced settings’. In the ‘passwords and forms’ section, click the link to ‘manage passwords’. Hover over the site whose password you would like to remove, then click the X that appears.
- Use only personal email addresses. Do not use your work email address. It is not private. Your employer can access them. If your work product and computer both belong to your employer, management can read your emails. They are not confidential. Another important thing, if you run a business your ex is interested in, your ex and his or her attorney can access your emails through a process known as ‘discovery’. You can never be too careful.
- Say no to CC options in emails. Do not copy (cc) your friend, parent, or other person who might be helping you in the divorce process. Tempting as it may be, you and your loved ones are not covered by privacy protection. This privilege, or privacy protection, is only for the benefit of an attorney-client relationship. A contested divorce usually leads to an ex getting access to the other party’s emails. Be extra careful for your own good.
The attorneys at Petrelli Previtera, LLC are here to help our clients take the necessary steps to maintain their safety and privacy. If you’re ready to discuss your legal options with a highly-qualified family law attorney, schedule a consultation today.