Divorce lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida, and across the country are taking note of an increasing use of information gathered from smartphones and other digital text message sources in divorce filings. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has reported that most of their members have noticed a sharp increase of cases that cite such evidence.

Jacksonville attorneys are well informed about this trend and other new ways to better represent clients seeking divorce. These electronic devices leave behind a trail of potential evidence that fighting spouses try to use against one another in their quest for a divorce. The use of GPS data searches and other documentation of possible unfaithful actions, like records of internet searches, remain rare, but text messages, emails, phone numbers and calling histories are becoming common additions to divorce claims of unfaithfulness in a marriage.

This new era of electronic communications may make indiscretions seem to be hidden, but there are solid trails of evidence that can be collected by a savvy divorce attorney or spouse. These trails are useful in showing tangible evidence of thoughts, actions and intent. A British study highlighted the fact that the social media website "Facebook" is now mentioned in divorce petitions for about a third of all cases recently, up from 20 percent of cases studied in 2009. This claim was supported by a similar study conducted in December 2011 by Divorce-Online.

Breaking of trust in a relationship or marriage by cheating in any form can become harmful to all parties involved. In some cases, divorce is the correct path to follow. If you are considering divorce, it is time to consult with an experienced divorce lawyer to determine if divorce would be the best solution.

Source: Tom's Guide, "Divorcing Couples Using Smartphones as Legal Weapons," Jane McEntegart, Feb. 12, 2012