Over the past year, a statistic courtesy of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) has been circulating around the internet and in newspapers regarding the increased role Facebook and other social networking sites are playing in divorce. The AAML surveyed divorce attorneys, and 81 percent of them reported seeing an increase in the number of their cases that involve evidence from social networking sites. Additionally, 66 percent of the attorneys reported that the site most often used as evidence is Facebook.

The statistic is so striking that it has generated news stories for about a year now. Most of them focus on how some spouses use Facebook to have extra-marital affairs. Many of them are about how attorneys can mine Facebook and MySpace profiles for harmful posts and pictures that could undermine a spouse's claim for alimony or child custody. However, one recent story illustrates a new way that Facebook could harm a couple's prospects of obtaining an affordable uncontested divorce.

An uncontested divorce is a far more affordable option than a divorce litigated and disputed in court. However, agreement and consensus between divorcing spouses is the key factor in determining if they can choose uncontested divorce. An acrimonious or punitive action by one spouse against the other often precludes the possibility of reaching an amicable compromise.

A recent story indicates that some people are learning about their spouse's divorce plans by reading Facebook posts declaring their intentions to divorce. Understandably, finding out about divorce in this manner often creates an angry soon-to-be ex-spouse.

A simple, uncontested no-fault divorce is the most affordable divorce option available in Pennsylvania. However, it is possible only when the spouses can reach an agreement. Informing a spouse of divorce plans on Facebook is not the best first step on the path leading to ending the marriage as inexpensively, quickly and simply as possible.

Source: KGUN9.com, "FACEBOOK: why people are getting divorced, a deadly weapon in court," Ileana Diaz, 5/11/2011