For many spouses, a key priority is the reduction or elimination of alimony as quickly as possible after divorce. These payments can prove to be quite burdensome, and they may be frustrating if you think they are not justified. In this situation, you might feel tempted to “spy” on your ex to uncover useful evidence. What might this evidence be? Is spying on your ex in this way even legal? How can you reduce alimony in Georgia? These are all questions you might want to ask an experienced divorce lawyer.
Uncovering Evidence of Cohabitation to Reduce Alimony
Spouses may attempt to gather evidence of cohabitation in order to reduce or eliminate their alimony obligations. If your ex begins living with someone new, this is called “cohabitation.” Once they start intermingling their finances with this new individual and living under the same roof, there is no longer any legal justification for alimony. Someone else is supporting your ex financially, so you can stop handing over your hard-earned cash. If you find evidence that your ex is cohabiting with someone new, you could file a petition to end alimony once and for all.
Uncovering Evidence of False Disability Claims to Reduce Alimony
Georgia family courts consider numerous factors when determining alimony in Georgia – including the health of each spouse. If one spouse is suffering from some kind of disability, they might receive more alimony – and for a longer duration. If you can prove that this disability is completely fake, you could potentially reduce or eliminate your alimony obligations. For example, you might see your ex jogging around a park. If they previously claimed to have a crippling neurological disorder, this raises obvious questions.
The Legal Risks of Spying on Your Ex
Despite the potential advantages of gathering evidence on your ex, you must approach these endeavors carefully. If you break the law while gathering evidence on your ex, the evidence could become inadmissible in court. For example, you might be accused of stalking your ex or trespassing onto their property. Speak with a lawyer if you suspect you can cease your alimony payments. These legal professionals can help you gather evidence in a legal, efficient manner.
The Power of Social Media Evidence
It might not be necessary to “spy” on your spouse per se. A tried-and-true method is to browse their public social media posts. Often, these posts will contain compelling evidence of cohabitation, fake disability claims, and other relevant factors. Take screenshots if you see something that might be useful – as your ex could delete problematic posts at a later date. The only thing to remember is that you cannot hack into your ex’s profile or access their private messages without permission.
Can a Family Law Attorney in Georgia Help Me Reduce Alimony?
A family law attorney in Georgia may be able to help you reduce or even eliminate your alimony payments. While keeping an eye on your ex may uncover certain useful evidence, you must be very careful in this situation. The most logical course of action is to contact a lawyer and go through the proper legal channels – including petitions for modification of alimony. To learn more about this overall process, contact Lankford & Moore Law and schedule a consultation today.
