The Importance of Privacy
Maintaining personal privacy is becoming both more challenging and increasingly essential in today’s age. Sensitive information, such as banking information or a social security number, that is shared online can wreak havoc on a person’s life. The last thing anyone wants is a leak of this information, which is why protecting yours has become much more crucial.
During a divorce, personal information should remain guarded as much as possible. You should take several steps in order to better protect your sensitive information throughout your divorce.
Change Passwords
One key step anyone can take to protect privacy online, divorcing or not, is to regularly change online passwords. Creating passwords that are unique to you and that incorporate various character types (such as lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers, and special characters) enhances your accounts with greater security and is more effective in preventing your spouse from accessing your information. This is particularly important in a divorce, as your spouse may know (or be able to guess) your passwords.
Avoid Social Media
Social media’s addicting presence in the world makes staying connected very easy, but it can lead to information sharing online that you may prefer to keep private. Avoiding social media altogether and restraining yourself from posting about your divorce can actually ensure you have an easier time with your case. Sharing posts about your divorce can have an adverse effect on your divorce and may result in a less than advantageous settlement agreement or court order.
Protect Documents
It is important to ensure that your spouse does not have access to private documents and attorney-client-privileged communications during your divorce. Consider setting up a new email address with a secure password and locking other documents in a secure place to make sure your spouse does not have access to important documents.
Consider Mediation or Arbitration
Going to court creates a court record of your divorce, which means much of your information that is shared in court will be added to that record. By choosing an alternative method of settlement rather than trial, such as mediation or arbitration, you avoid the creation of a public record and are able to further protect your private information.
Mediators that handle your case protect your information and swear confidentiality. In addition, hiring an attorney to accompany you to your sessions can add an additional layer of security to your personal information.
Arbitrating your case is more private than going to trial in front of a judge and can also be faster. While you and your spouse would have to share the cost of arbitration, it’s actually very cost-efficient overall. You will not have to go through multiple pretrials and status conferences, and there will be virtually no interruptions during the arbitration of your case, as can be the case in trial. You will also likely be able to get an earlier resolution of your case.
Protect Financial Information
If you and your spouse share bank accounts, both of you have access to that information (and the funds in the accounts) throughout the divorce. Talk to us about how to protect those funds.
If you and your spouse also share a credit card, you may want to consider applying for your own credit card without your spouse’s name on it. A separate credit card can also help you build credit apart from your spouse’s.
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