When does Online Activity become Infidelity?

Divorce laws in the US have been around for centuries, but the digital age is making many divorce cases far more complicated. Charges of infidelity used to be easy to prove in a time before the Internet. A photograph or some form of physical evidence would provide proof that something shady was going on.

But now the borders are shifting because there are so many new ways for one partner to interact someone outside of a relationship that are not physical at all. The Ashley Madison hack that exposed the emails of many many people may show that someone signed up for an account on the website, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they had an affair. That case is all the more complicated because anyone could sign up for a free account under any email and not leave a trail. This can give the appearance of an intent to commit infidelity that may never have existed.

Ultimately it is up to couples to decide where their relationship boundaries lie. Couples can have very strong and limiting boundaries. Others can be quite flexible. But when these boundaries are broken, that is when a serious talk about boundaries and infidelity must be held to prevent a divorce. Sometimes a breach is serious enough that there is no way to turn back.

If you live in Washington and you’re seeking divorce advice, contact a lawyer you can trust. Call Elise Buie Family Law Group, PLLC to schedule a consultation. Our approach to divorce will seek to find the most amicable way for a couple to part. Call now to learn more.