Dealing With A Spouse’s Online Addiction: How It Impacts Fort Lauderdale Divorce Proceedings
While many of us might admit to spending too much time on the internet, there is a point where it can cross a line. Living with a spouse consumed by online gaming, social media, or other online activities can leave you feeling invisible in your own home.
If you have reached the point where you are questioning whether your marriage can survive, you are not alone. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney explains more about the damage online addiction can cause and how it impacts Broward County divorce proceedings.
How Online Addiction Damages Fort Lauderdale Marriages
While technology is a central part of our daily lives, in some cases, users cross a line. The American Psychiatric Association warns that online addiction is increasingly common and can take many forms, including compulsive gaming, excessive social media use, online gambling, and pornography.
What these behaviors share is their capacity to pull a spouse away from their partner emotionally and physically, often without either one fully recognizing what is happening. The effects on the marriage can be wide-ranging and deeply disruptive:
- A spouse consumed by online activity becomes less present, less communicative, and less interested in the shared experiences that sustain a marriage.
- Cooking, childcare, financial management, and basic household tasks often fall entirely on one partner when the other is preoccupied with online activity.
- Financial harm can result from online gambling or compulsive spending.
- Parenting can suffer in ways that affect a custody case.
- Deception, secrecy, and broken promises to cut back on the behavior gradually undermine the foundation of the marriage.
Recognizing these patterns early gives you more time and options, whether you choose to pursue counseling, separation, or divorce.
Filing for a Fort Lauderdale Divorce Due to Online Addictions: How Florida Law Applies
Under Section 61.052 of the Florida Statutes, you do not need to prove your spouse’s online addiction caused the breakdown of your marriage to get a divorce in Fort Lauderdale. However, your spouse’s online addiction can still be relevant to other aspects of a Broward County Court divorce case:
- If your spouse sold property or used marital assets to fund their online addiction, it can influence property division.
- Neglect of parental duties can affect custody and time-sharing.
- A history of the behavior strengthens your position in negotiations.
- Counseling records or professional evaluations may support your case.
Ending a marriage is never easy. Consulting an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney and keeping detailed notes on how your spouse’s online activities affect your daily life, your finances, and your children can help protect you and your family while you decide.
Request a Consultation With An Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney
Online addiction can wreak havoc in your marriage and is an increasingly common factor in Broward County divorce cases. At The Law Office of Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., we can advise you on your options and steps you can take to protect yourself. For trusted, local legal guidance, contact our office. Request a consultation today with an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney.
Source:
psychiatry.org/patients-families/technology-addictions-social-media-and-more/what-is-technology-addiction
