Helping Good People At Their Worst Times

Is it safe to confide in my parent or best friend during my divorce?

On Behalf of | Feb 26, 2018 | Family Law

During your divorce or custody action, everything you say to your best friend, parent or boy/girl friend can be disclosed. You don’t have the luxury we did growing up of being able to ask your friend to keep your secrets. Your best friend can be subpoenaed to court and compelled to recount your conversations.

Who can you talk to during your divorce? There are people you can talk to and not have the conversations replayed.  Your attorney cannot disclose anything you say without your permission. If you have a therapist, he/she cannot be compelled to disclose information about you. Your priest/minister/rabbi cannot be compelled to tell your secrets. Even your accountant can hold your secrets. To read more in depth on who you can talk to, see https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0090/Sections/0090.501.html

Unless your confidant falls into one of the exceptions, he or she can be called as a witness. They can be required to provide documents.  I point these hidden dangers because friendships change. Families choose sides in a family law matter. Your current spouse, if you aren’t divorcing,  cannot be required to divulge your secrets.

Talk to your attorney about your case. Attorneys are counselors at law and are accustomed to listening.  The best person to discuss your case is with your attorney and I am a good listener.