Judge Deems Facebook an Acceptable Way to Serve Divorce Papers

By Sheryl Rentz on April 20, 2015

Serving divorce papers can prove challenging during a contentious separation. There are some cases in which a spouse deliberately people to avoid being served. In other situations, a spouse may be hard to reach, in between homes, or without a phone or place of employment. When someone is not available to be served papers, alternative methods may be needed.

In one recent case, a woman has been granted the right by a judge to serve divorce papers on social media. According to a CNN news report, the Brooklyn woman had been trying to divorce her husband for several years but had been unable to meet him in person to serve him the papers. Her divorce attorney filed an application requesting alternative means and the judge agreed pending that a number of criteria are met.

The spouse will have to prove that the Facebook account belongs to her husband and that he logs on consistently. This way, the judge can be sure that the husband will see the papers. If the husband does not respond to the Facebook message, then, the judge may move forward with a “divorce by default.”

There are many challenges that may arise during a divorce that are difficult to predict. This is why it is crucial to have a divorce attorney by your side you can help you understand your options. Here are a few additional reasons why you need an attorney during a divorce:

• Reduced stress: There are few life events as stressful as a divorce. Your attorney will take care of the details of your separation so that you won’t have to worry.
• Experienced advice: A skilled divorce attorney has handled a number of cases similar to yours and will have an understanding of what to expect.
• Expedited proceedings: There are many delays that can occur during a divorce. Your attorney will make sure there are no issues with your paperwork that could delay the proceedings and prevent you from moving on.
• No mistakes: The legal system is complicated. It is easy to make mistakes during the proceedings if you do not have legal guidance. An experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney can help alleviate your concerns that your case is not being handled properly.

If you’re looking for a Pennsylvania divorce attorney who will fight hard to protect your best interests, contact The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz today.