When you go through a divorce, you want to make sure that the settlement is a fair one for you. There are a lot of things that come into play to make sure that you do get a fair settlement. At the trial, you and the other person have to present evidence to the judge that will show the judge that you should get what you are asking for. It is then up to the judge to decide what you will receive.
For one Florida woman, a Facebook friend request from the judge presiding over her divorce case has resulted in a new divorce trial. The woman alleges that she declined the judge’s request in the middle of a divorce trial. She claims that she was then retaliated against by the judge. She claims the judge offered her ex-husband excessive alimony. An appeals court ruled that the judge’s actions put the woman in a difficult spot.
Anyone who is in the midst of a divorce case has an expectation that the judge presiding over the case will remain impartial. When the judge does things that can lead to a bias decision, the settlement might not be fair for you when it comes to property division, child custody or spousal support.
In this woman’s case, the simple act of the judge asking to be her friend on the social media network led an appeals court to grant her a new trial. If you are in the midst of a divorce trial and feel the judge has acted in a retaliatory manner, you might be able to secure a new trial. Seeking the advice of an experienced Florida divorce attorney might help you to find out your options.
Source: First Coast News, “Judge faces complaint over Facebook friend request” No author given, Jan. 31, 2014
