The Hack of Ashley Madison May Affect You in Unexpected Ways
When a couple decides to divorce, they should be allowed to announce that news – or not – in a way that makes them feel safe and secure. This is especially true, perhaps, when there are children involved. But the hack into the controversial website AshleyMadison.com has made that impossible for some couples, and has led to a slew of other unintended consequences.
Embarrassment is a powerful emotion
Firstly, the hack has caused severe embarrassment for a large number of people – and not just the users. Their spouses as well as their children are now embroiled in the scandal, and must deal with the fallout. For some couples, this may mean divorce is imminent; for couple who have chosen to stay together, they must deal with the knowledge that the people in their lives – friends, family, co-workers, the mailman – may all now know that one of them is an alleged cheater. In some particularly sad cases, the children of these couples may also be aware, and they could face potential bullying or harassment in school.
It is important to consider this role of embarrassment if you are going through a divorce, related or unrelated to the Ashley Madison hack. A humiliated spouse may try to seek “revenge” through the courts, and a guilty spouse may be less inclined to look after his or her own future, leading to a contentious divorce or an unjust settlement. Furthermore, Knoxville family law judges may also be swayed when considering the grounds for divorce; after all, if your children are impacted by negative publicity because of something you or your spouse may have done, that judge may consider it not in your child’s best interest to give you or your spouse more parenting time.
Your employment may be at risk
Certain employers require their workers to sign ethics clauses, or morality agreements. If you were exposed as an account holder of Ashley Madison, even if you never actually used the site, your job might be in jeopardy. If you are already paying child support or alimony, the loss of your job might require you to modify your divorce decree – and you could be in for a fight if your ex-spouse fights the modification.
Another potential pitfall arises with background checks – namely, that some employers will run your credit or do an internet search on you before hiring you. If a person can get fired for what he or she posts on Facebook (and it happens), what is to say that you will not be passed over for a job or a promotion because of your link to the hack?
Furthermore, the hack has exposed your identity, including your credit card numbers, to a world of thieves and online criminals. Your credit could be at risk at this very moment. Poor credit ratings could keep you from getting a job, buying a vehicle, or even renting an apartment.
It is easy to sit back and be critical of Ashley Madison users, but everyone’s story is different; it is not for any of us to judge the user of that site or any other website. But we want our clients to be very aware that there are larger, more nefarious forces at play here, and you could be in for a world of trouble you were not even expecting.
LaFevor & Slaughter have offered comprehensive family law services in Knoxville and throughout Tennessee for close to 40 years. If you are considering a divorce, or if you are afraid of how the Ashley Madison hack might affect your current proceedings, please contact us to make an appointment.
As the Managing Attorney with LaFevor & Slaughter, Jason R. Hines handles new client consultations, strategic planning and implementation and represents clients in all the Firm’s practice areas.
As an attorney practicing law in Tennessee since 2009, Jason has represented clients from all walks of life in a wide range of cases in the State and Federal Courts of Tennessee. His practice areas include divorce, family law and immigration.