The recent hack of the Ashley Madison website caused a release of private information online. Spouses who were planning on having (or had) affairs through the website may have been exposed, and the question of adultery comes up once again as it relates to divorce. Adultery is a common ground for divorce, but adultery is not an accusation you make without some sort of evidence.

Someone who suspects adultery may confront their spouse, but their spouse may deny everything. The information about their alleged affair may be destroyed, and any claim to be made in court lacks grounds for a divorce trial or settlement. The Ashley Madison leaks may provide evidence for spouses who have suspected adultery, but we do not know how much information was leaked.

Private investigators have spent time finding evidence of adultery for their clients, and there may be electronic information that will prove adultery. You must bring all evidence you have before the court, and a judge will determine the validity of your case. Any case that does not have evidence will require other documentation to complete your claim.

You must speak with your attorney before you get too deep into the idea of divorce. Your attorney has a legal and ethical obligation to advise you of your options in a case. Lawyers will inform you of the merits of your case, and you may not choose to continue given the parameters set forth by your attorney.

You may use social media feeds and other evidence to prove adultery, but you must have an iron clad case to show to the court. Circumstantial evidence does not prove adultery in 2015. Men and women can be friends in 2015, and blind suspicion will not please the court. Your lawyer needs enough information to go to court with confidence, and you must take a step back before you start looking. Consider that your spouse may simply have friends you do not know.Filing for divorce on grounds of adultery is a legitimate legal claim, but you need something solid. The Ashley Madison website hack may provide evidence for some divorce claims, but every divorce claim is different. Ask your attorney for guidance before you begin proceedings, and present your lawyer with evidence that will give you confidence going into a courtroom with a judge.

Who Can File for Uncontested Divorce?

Couples who have no assets, no property, no house, no joint debt, and no major child custody issues can pursue this alternative route.   Uncontested divorce is available only for people who have not been married long, perhaps less than five years. The amount and duration of any spousal support, or alimony, and division of all debt and property are major issues to consider in getting any divorce. Uncontested divorce works best if each spouse can support themselves or are clearly capable of doing so.

Separate laws govern child custody and child support agreements, but if the two parents can agree on their own, then they save time and money with an uncontested divorce. These include agreeing on how they will share parenting responsibilities and parenting time as well as amount and duration of child support.

Couples with more complex situations can proceed without a lawyer in uncontested divorce but should do so with great caution, as all agreements related to child custody and support must be in accordance with state and federal laws governing them. It is wise to seek advice from an attorney who specializes in divorce law who can ensure your agreements are within the constraints of it and you are not being taken advantage of by your spouse.

Are Uncontested Divorce and No-fault Divorce the Same?

They are not the same. Uncontested means the spouses have discussed everything they need to discuss and settled all their issues and concerns. No-fault refers to the grounds or reason for a divorce. It means your marriage is so irretrievably broken that there is no hope of mending it. In no-fault divorce, you may or may not necessarily agree on everything. It is a good idea to have an attorney who can verify the information your spouse has given and check to see if check for any obvious undisclosed-to-you assets.

Advantages

Uncontested divorce is simple, quick and the least expensive way to get divorced as long as it stays uncontested. Staying out of court is more private. This more cooperative approach keeps conflict to a minimum for all involved and gives a chance to end a marriage with dignity. It is cheaper because when you can reach agreement before filing.

Disadvantages

Uncontested divorce is not for everyone and can be dangerous for some. It is a bad idea when spouses, for a variety of reasons, are not able to talk to each other. If one or both of you are adamant about keeping anything in particular or a larger share of your marital assets, this can lead to a disagreement too unmanageable for an uncontested divorce proceeding. Uncontested divorce is risky in situations of domestic violence where one spouse may be vulnerable or feel too intimidated to speak for themselves.

Costs and Wait Times

This is the quickest and least costly way to get a divorce. You must file in the state where one of you live and in some only have to pay filing fees. Prices vary widely by state and depend on whether or not you use an attorney, but tend to cost between a few hundred to only a couple thousand. When you and your spouse are in agreement about major issues involved in divorce, it saves time and money for each to have an attorney review the paperwork before it is finalized.