Does Your Divorce Case Require Evidence?
Divorce Situations Requiring “Evidence”
Uncontested and Contested Divorce
You may have discussed divorce with your spouse already, and you may both agree that it’s the right choice for your relationship. If you do, you may be amicable and able to discuss how to divide your assets and liabilities. This is an uncontested divorce, one where you agree on everything.
On the flip side is a contested divorce, one where you do not agree on anything – or on most things – and need lawyers and possibly even a judge to divide your assets for you. In a contested divorce, you may need evidence to prove why your request for a division of assets should be granted over your spouse’s.
Fault and No-Fault Divorce
If you and your spouse agree that divorce is the right decision, you’ll probably file for a no-fault divorce. While you’ll still need to state a reason for the divorce – like irreconcilable differences – you’re not alleging that your spouse did something wrong to actively break up the marriage. That’s a fault divorce.
In a fault divorce, you may be able to get an unequal distribution of assets. But to do that, you’d need to prove your spouse contributed to the end of the marriage by presenting evidence. You may use evidence of marital infidelity, misuse of marital funds, or any means allowed by your state.
Discovery
If your divorce proceedings require evidence, you’ll need to go through discovery. Discovery is a legal fact-finding process in litigation. During discovery, your lawyer will turn over the evidence they’ve collected to your spouse’s lawyer, and vice versa.
During discovery, your lawyer will not disclose any confidential information or conversations they’ve had with you. The discovery process is intended to put both parties on a level playing field with all evidence on the table. Discovery helps your lawyer prepare for the evidence your spouse may try to use against you.
Note: Only certain evidence is “discoverable.” As mentioned above, confidential conversations between you and your legal counsel are not discoverable. But financial information, phone and text records, property and title information, receipts from purchases, and possibly even social media account details could be discoverable. Medical history, sexual behavior, and parenting skills could also be discoverable in certain contexts.
Discovery occurs during the pre-trial phase of the divorce proceedings and usually emerges during depositions. These oral conversations, taken under oath, could lead to requests for additional evidence.
Going to Trial
Once the deposition and discovery processes are complete, your divorce goes to trial only if settlement negotiations have been unsuccessful. Settlement negotiations can occur throughout the entire divorce process, from the moment you file up through trial. As you negotiate and chip away at contested issues in your divorce, there’s less and less for the court to decide for you, which is the ultimate goal.
Sometimes, however, a trial is necessary to resolve lingering matters. In a divorce trial, you present the evidence you’ve collected to make your case for why you should receive the assets you’re requesting. The judge makes the ultimate decision about how to divide your assets and liabilities. Most states have a presumption of equitable distribution, which means you’ll need to present evidence to the judge to persuade them why they should give you preferential treatment and distribute your assets in an unequal manner.
Once the judge makes their decision, they will present a final divorce decree or judgment. This describes how your assets and liabilities are to be distributed, discusses any matters relating to your minor children, and finalizes your divorce, formally and legally ending your marriage.
Common Divorce Issues Requiring Evidence
Most divorces do not require much evidence. However, certain situations may require it. The most common include the following:
Visitation
If you have evidence that your spouse has mental health issues or has abused you or your children—or other evidence suggesting it’s in the best interest of your children to live with you—you’ll want to present it to the court.
Child Support
Financial statements showing your spouse makes enough money to cover their share of your children’s needs is great evidence, along with your child’s regular expenses.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Financial evidence showing your spouse makes enough money to provide you with alimony will help show a judge your spouse can afford to provide you support, at least temporarily.
Property Division
If you can show you paid an unequal portion of the mortgage for the home or gifted a vehicle to the marriage, you’ll be giving the judge good evidence that you deserve an unequal distribution of assets.
Parenting Time
You can use similar evidence, like work records showing your spouse travels frequently, to suggest you deserve an unequal amount of shared parenting time.
How to Collect Evidence Against Your Spouse
Collecting evidence against your spouse occurs mainly during the discovery process, but you can help by providing insight into your spouse’s details, such as their travel schedule or prior instances of abuse. Some evidence, however, is inadmissible.
Admissible vs. Inadmissible Evidence
Financial evidence is often key to a divorce trial, but not all of it is admissible. If your spouse has been charged with a financial crime, there would be financial information on a police report. But unless the officer testifies and verifies the details of the report, that evidence is inadmissible.
Similarly, evidence obtained illegally is inadmissible. If you log into your spouse’s email or social media account without authorization, any evidence you collect is inadmissible.
Admissible Evidence vs. Hearsay
Admissible evidence is information obtained legally that is relevant to the legal proceedings. Often including financial documents, photos and videos, eyewitness testimony, and similar documents, admissible evidence must be relevant to your divorce. For example, your spouse’s bank statements from high school would be admissible but irrelevant; a court would not consider them.
Hearsay is inadmissible in court. It is information that cannot be substantiated by a first person. If you try to testify that your spouse struck your minor child but you didn’t see it happen, you cannot testify about the actual incident because you weren’t there, making it hearsay.
Other Types of Evidence
You may also be able to present character evidence. This type of evidence is helpful when trying to prove your spouse is not fit for full custody or should have limited visitation rights. When presenting character evidence, you most likely will need to have someone testify about their first-hand experience with your spouse and how it shows their character is unworthy of full custody.
Another type of evidence is privilege evidence. If you hold privilege, you can prevent someone else from disclosing information. In divorce proceedings, spousal immunity often arises and is a type of privilege. Spousal immunity means that, even during divorce, you cannot testify against your spouse, and they can’t testify against you unless it is specifically waived.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evidence plays a crucial role in divorce proceedings, especially in contested cases. Collecting the right evidence and presenting it appropriately can significantly impact the outcome of the divorce settlement. Remember to consult with a qualified family law attorney to navigate the process effectively and protect your rights.
FAQs
1. Do all divorce cases go to trial? Not all divorce cases go to trial. Many divorces are resolved through settlement negotiations, mediation, or collaborative divorce processes.
2. Can I use recordings as evidence in my divorce case? The admissibility of recordings as evidence varies by state laws. Some states require consent from all parties involved in the recording, while others may permit one-party consent.
3. Can character evidence be used against me in a divorce? Yes, character evidence can be presented by either spouse in a divorce case. It’s essential to work with your attorney to counter any potentially damaging character evidence.
4. Is it better to pursue a fault or no-fault divorce? The decision to pursue a fault or no-fault divorce depends on your specific circumstances and the laws of your state. It’s best to discuss the options with your attorney to determine the most suitable approach.
5. How long does the discovery process typically last? The duration of the discovery process can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of both parties to cooperate. It can range from a few weeks to several months.
