If you're involved in a contested divorce, or are about to be, you need to be aware of using electronic devices to uncover illicit affairs or hidden assets.

It goes without saying that there is a treasure trove of information in your spouse's computer, Blackberry, cell phone and other electronic gadgets. It may seem like snooping, but during the discovery phase of a divorce, you can legitimately request copies of your spouse's e-mails. They may reveal adulterous relationships or hidden property. And that information can go a long way toward aiding your cause in contested issues such as custody, income and expenses.

GPS devices may reveal the whereabouts of a cheating spouse on days when you have doubts about unreasonable explanations. Another tool, now available with a court order, are E-ZPass toll records, which can similarly be used to establish rendezvous with a lover.

But this data mining isn't without its share of pitfalls. Electronic sleuthing can be illegal if you improperly access private electronic sources. If you break into a device, or if you lack permission to access it, the court may prohibit you from using the information in your case. Self-help steps must be employed legally. If you are an authorized user of your spouse's computer or cell phone, the information would be legally discovered.

You can open up a mine field of damaging evidence so long as no crime is committed in securing the facts. Internet browser histories, cell phone records and e-mails are increasingly being introduced into disputed divorce actions. Don't illegally take a Blackberry or laptop to a forensic expert to retrieve deleted information. Don't steal passwords. Attorneys and courts won't be party to illegal acts or invasions of privacy. But aside from those warnings, happy data mining.

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Great piece by Kimberly Palmer in the "Alpha Consumer" column in U.S. News and World Report about how exes can clear up their credit if their partner stole their identity or otherwise ruined their credit. Too many women are in this situation. Is that you?

The piece suggests immediately calling credit reporting agencies like Equifax if your ex used your name and Social Security number to obtain credit without your knowledge. Close unauthorized accounts and all joint credit card and other acounts, file a fraud report with the police and alert all credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your account.

If your ex is using credit cards you previously owned as a couple, then you are still liable for any charges that surface. Ouch! In states with community property laws, all accounts opened during a marriage are considered joint, regardless of whose name is on them. But you can still file a report disputing the charges with the credit reporting agencies. Have any of you been through this ordeal?

Keep in mind that divorcing couples who negotiate divorce decrees that include that one ex-spouse will pay off the credit card debt aren't excused from the other ex's financial responsibility. Ouch! Creditors can still demand payment from the "clean" spouse which can negatively impact their credit score.

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Okay, so you're in the middle of a divorce and your ex has somehow managed to ruin your credit even though you were the one who handled most, if not all, of the finances. What do you do? Well, First Wives World has tackled this subject recently. As a matter of fact, we're going to keep educating you about it because it's soooo important.

Divorce can bring on financial ruin, as many people know. If you have merged assets and joint ownership of property (like most married couples do) this is a major issue! I was reading a story that brings up a good point: When you divorce, your marriage ends but not your shared financial responsibilities. If your spouse racked up debt without your knowledge during the marriage, you may be held responsible for it after the divorce. It sucks, but it's true.

So financial experts agree that you must take action to cut all financial ties with your ex. Here's what you can do for starters:

1. Make sure you know where all accounts are including bank accounts, mortgage loans, credit cards and utilities. Even if you and your spouse have decided who gets what property, you need to make sure that the right person is solely responsible for their respective belongings.

2. Remove your spouse's name from all accounts or cancel them completely. You should both handle the canceling together. Start with the bank accounts. If you're taking possession of a car with both of your names on the note, have your spouse's name removed. Make sure that your spouse does the same thing with any property they take.

And, if you're still paying for any of this property, then you may have to refinance to get the loan down to one name. Any bills you paid together, such as your utilities, should be put in one name. For credit cards, work with the companies to have them transfer half of the balance to two different accounts.
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Divorce can be a long process. It's also a major "financial event." And according to the folks at The Motley Fool, it can be costly...oh my, yes. Depending on who you are and what your net worth is, etc., etc.

The Fool suggests you seek out an attorney's advice early even if you're only thinking about a divorce and even if you expect it to be a mostly amicable affair.

Do keep records. Yes, that means all of your credit card statements, if no other reason than to prove you pay your bills on time. You're going to need that proof come settlement time.

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In Oregon, there’s a bill on the table that would increase the price of a divorce by $10, with the extra revenue raised going to organizations that help victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

According to an AP report, nearly 18,500 Oregon couples divorce each year, paying fees and court costs that range from $195 to $371, depending on the county. About 36 percent of divorcing couples don’t pay court costs because they are poor.

If the bill becomes law, Oregon would join six other states that impose a fee on divorce filings to pay for domestic violence services.

While I’m not an advocate of those policies some states are enacting whereby couples are encouraged to stay married—(couples attend mandatory workshops prior to marriage and the like), the idea of charging a bit extra for divorce filings to raise money for victims of domestic violence doesn’t sound so bad. It’s really no more than a tariff and the funds are going for a good cause. I don’t think such a tariff is meant to deter people from filing for divorce. What do you think?

For more on this story, click here: http://www.katu.com/news/politics/7435811.html