Divorce lawyers are predicting a sharp incline in the divorce rate in the coming months, following the Ashley Madison hack, writes SF Gate.
A family law specialist based in San Francisco, Mark Ressa, said:
“We see a number of divorce cases where infidelity is the root of the filing,” he said, “and if you are the spouse that was cheated on, this can definitely help your cause.
Divorce. Image Credit: Tony Guyton (Flickr)
Steve Mindel, a family law attorney based in Los Angeles, told the Associated Press that the hack could potentially be a goldmine for divorce lawyers.
“We’re all saying, ‘It’s going to be Christmas in September,’” Mindel told the Associated Press.
Unlike Ressa and Mindel, other California based lawyers aren’t convinced this is the beginning of a windfall for them. California is a “no-fault” state, meaning spouses don’t need to prove wrong doing in order to file for divorce.
Divorce attorneys in Thailand Chaninat and Leeds have decades of experience in successfully handling divorce cases, both for Thai nationals and foreigners.
Christian Loizeaux, a family lawyer from Napa, says:
“California is a no-fault state, so it doesn’t really matter if you’re signed up for the website or not. If someone wants a divorce, they get one […] People have affairs. This website may make it easier for them, but people who are inclined to cheat are going to find a way.”
Reports from law firms worldwide have emerged that they are already receiving calls from distressed spouses, including Australia and the UK.
Ashley Madison can also look forward to some heavyweight legal battles, according to Luke Scanlon, a lawyer for Pinsent Masons. He predicts that Avid Life Media, the owners of Ashley Madison, could face up to $1.5 billion worth of legal fees if customers decide to sue.
It’s also possible they could face a fine of $785,000 from the Information Commissioner for not having the proper security measures in place that might have prevented the hack in the first place.
Meanwhile, The Impact Team appear to show no remorse, saying:
“Too bad for those men, they’re cheating dirtbags and deserve no such discretion.”
For more on this story, see here and here.
Read about the Canadian lawsuit filed against Avid Life Media here.
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