Fort Lauderdale Divorce in the Digital Age: Protecting Your Online Privacy and Assets

For couples considering a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, protecting online privacy and rights to digital assets may be a top concern. Whether it involves websites, social media accounts, cryptocurrency, or shared streaming services, taking proactive steps prior to and during Broward County divorce proceedings can help prevent financial losses and personal data breaches.

Our Florida divorce lawyer has extensive experience protecting the rights of clients in these cases and explains how to navigate modern digital challenges.

Protecting Your Digital Privacy In A Fort Lauderdale Divorce

Most of us maintain some type of online presence today. Whether you are a business owner, influencer, or simply enjoy interacting with others, protecting your digital privacy is a top priority in a Fort Lauderdale divorce. Messages, emails, and social media posts may serve as evidence in court, potentially impacting your rights to an equitable division of property, as well as potential alimony and child time-sharing.

Under Section 934.03 of the Florida Statutes, unauthorized access to electronic communications is illegal. However, some spouses still attempt to snoop or hack accounts as a means of getting information to use against you. To protect yourself, take these steps:

• Change the passwords for all your email, social media, banks, and other online accounts;
• Enable two-factor authentication for added security;
• Review privacy settings on all platforms, limit public visibility, and consider turning off social media until your divorce case gets resolved;
• Avoid discussing your divorce, disputes with your spouse, potential settlements, or other details about your personal or financial situation online.

Challenges In Dividing Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency In Fort Lauderdale Divorce Proceedings

The Pew Research Center reports that close to 20 percent of all adults in the United States own cryptocurrency, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. This is in addition to online businesses, websites, social media accounts, digital photos, or other intellectual property.

When getting a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, marital property and assets get divided equitably between the spouses. This means you are legally entitled to a fair share of anything earned, acquired, or accumulated during the marriage. However, digital assets can present unique challenges. These often include:

• Cryptocurrency can be difficult to trace, value, or prove ownership;
• Shared digital purchases, such as e-books and streaming accounts, may lack clear ownership guidelines;
• Online business revenue, website domains, and digital intellectual property require professional valuation;
• Cloud storage accounts and digital photo libraries may hold both sentimental and financial value.

Consulting a Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer with experience in uncovering digital assets can help ensure all holdings are accurately identified and fairly distributed.

To Protect Your Digital Assets and Online Privacy, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer

If you are facing divorce in Fort Lauderdale and have concerns about online privacy or dividing digital assets, contact the law office of Vanessa L. Prieto. We provide trusted legal guidance to clients in these cases and take the actions needed to safeguard your future. Request a consultation today with our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0900-0999/0934/Sections/0934.03.html

pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/24/majority-of-americans-arent-confident-in-the-safety-and-reliability-of-cryptocurrency/