A Public Divorce

Heading for divorce court? You might want to remember that the next time you update your Facebook status.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that 81% of its members has used or faced evidence pulled from social networking sites like Linked In, My Space and Twitter. But when it comes to the best site for scandalous information, Facebook takes the top slot with 66% of lawyers retrieving most of their ammo from the site. Linda Lea Viken is President of the matrimonial lawyers group and says this type of evidence makes the cases very easy. Viken says she can’t believe some of the things clients are posting on Facebook.

Some favorites include the husband that posted his single, childless status on Match.com while seeking primary custody of his children. Or the mom who denies her party lifestyle despite the party pictures on her Facebook profile. Lawyers say Facebook gives them information they otherwise wouldn’t obtain, and people don’t realize what they put on Facebook is different then what they’re saying in court.

So be careful while updating your favorite social site, especially if you’re going to be asked to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, under threat of perjury.