Technological advances have improved the lives of all in Virginia significantly. Mobile devices or smartphones, in particular, have become essential to the lives of many. However, these devices have also brought about unintended consequences-particularly in the divorce arena.

According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers-an organization made up of attorneys that handle family law cases-text messaging evidence, email correspondence and Facebook posts play a prominent part in many of today's divorce cases.

The study revealed that 62 percent of evidence taken from cell phones today are text messages, 23 percent are emails and 13 percent are phone numbers and call histories.

Ken Altshuler president of the AAML says it's because these types of communication essentially remove "a lot of the he said/she said ambiguity from the divorce process because they represent written documentation."

Because many smartphones are essentially an extension of one's being, it's only logical that they display a person's feelings and activities. And anything written down is potential evidence an estranged spouse can use as the "smoking gun."

It's only a given that as cell phone technology becomes more advanced, these sources of communication will only play an even bigger part in the divorce process. And, as Ken Altshuler indicates, "more evidence [for] an estranged spouse to collect."

Source: MSN.com, "Divorce lawyers see more phone evidence, especially texts," Feb 10, 2010