The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more widespread in society every day, and the legal sector is no exception. But while there can be many advantages to using AI, there are just as many dangers — especially when it comes to family law matters. Notably, family law cases typically involve emotionally complex issues that are handled by attorneys who are trained in this area to provide personalized guidance and customized legal advice. Although AI can be a valuable tool, it cannot serve as a substitute for human knowledge, insight, empathy, and ethics.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial intelligence — commonly referred to as “AI” — is technology that simulates the human intelligence processes. It uses algorithms, data, and computational power to perform tasks that are typically associated with those performed by a human. By collecting data and correlating it with other data, an AI system can learn from experience and recognize patterns based on its study of the information.

How is Artificial Intelligence Used in Family Law?

AI can be used in various ways in family law matters. Not only can it serve as a supportive tool for the court to increase efficiency, but it can also be relied upon by attorneys to save time, streamline the legal process, and reduce costs. It can also help to uncover inconsistencies that may reveal hidden assets and flag irregularities for a family law attorney to investigate. However, not all attorneys use AI in their practices — there can be many privacy and confidentiality concerns with uploading documents and data into these programs that put a client’s personal information at risk. In addition, AI cannot specifically tailor legal advice or strategize in the way an experienced family law attorney would.

Some things that artificial intelligence can do in family law cases that may be best left to the skill of an attorney include the following:

• Provide basic legal information
• Find missing information in documents
• Review large quantities of documents
• Identify relevant clauses in documents
• Help evaluate evidence
• Generate legal documents
• Proofread legal documents and motions
• Arrange appointments
• Send reminders about court dates

AI technology also drives many child custody apps. Depending on the app, the technology can analyze text messages or emails for inflammatory language, organize co-parenting schedules, and provide a low-conflict communication platform that allows both parents to be on the same page at all times. Although AI-powered apps can help to develop parenting plans, they should not be used without the oversight of an attorney.

What are the Dangers in Using Artificial Intelligence in Family Law?

While artificial intelligence offers numerous advantages, its application in divorce, child custody, child support, and property division cases requires cautious handling. Given the complexity of family law matters, it's essential to seek the counsel of an attorney who can safeguard your rights, navigate the legal process, and provide informed guidance on your options. Contact the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram to schedule a confidential consultation.

Regardless of its advantages, artificial intelligence should be used with the utmost caution in family law. Importantly, family law matters are typically nuanced and highly fact-specific. While it can be tempting to use AI in a child custody or support case, it’s essential to understand that these platforms have limitations — they cannot replace human judgment. In addition, they do not account for individual circumstances and can have an adverse impact on your case when used without the guidance of an attorney.

Another risk of using AI is that it might not account for state-specific statutes or recent changes in the law. Family law attorneys must stay up-to-date on any new legislation and statutes that could affect their area of practice in their jurisdiction. While AI chatbots may contain disclaimers that the information provided may not be accurate, it’s vital to keep in mind that it does not have the qualifications to practice law, conduct tailored research, or give advice based on the specific facts of your case. As a result, false or inaccurate information may be computer-generated by these programs.

Additionally, AI can raise a number of privacy concerns when it comes to family law cases since these matters often involve highly sensitive information. You should not input any personal details such as your full name, contact information, bank account numbers — or any other confidential data — into an AI platform. This is also a risk you must consider when using AI to review confidential data or documents. You also should not upload any personal documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, court documents, or correspondence. If you provide any of this information to an AI system or chatbot, your privacy and security may be compromised.

Should You Use Artificial Intelligence in Your Family Law Case?

Artificial intelligence has many benefits — but it must be used very carefully in divorce, child custody, child support, and property division cases. It’s crucial to understand that this technology can make serious errors that could affect the outcome of your legal matter. Not only might the algorithms misinterpret statutes and fail to consider legal precedent, but it can also fail to apply the law correctly to the facts of your case.

AI should not be used as an alternative to working with an experienced family law attorney. A skillful attorney will provide the legal help you require as you go through the family law court process — and offer you the emotional support you need. A compassionate family law attorney will listen to your concerns, help you navigate your case, and assist you with reaching a settlement agreement that reflects your goals and meets the best interests of your children.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Divorce Attorney

Family law matters can be complicated, and it’s vital to have the guidance of an attorney who can protect your rights, walk you through the legal process, and advise you regarding your options. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our Fulton, Maryland divorce lawyers are committed to providing personalized legal services and customized solutions for a wide variety of family law matters. Trained in collaborative divorce, mediation, and traditional divorce litigation strategies, we will work with you to reach a resolution that is custom-tailored to your specific situation. To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Maple Lawn divorce attorney, call us at (240) 652-2596">(240) 652-2596 or contact us online.

Understanding the Divorce Litigation Process in Maryland: Part 2

If you and your spouse are thinking about parting ways, you probably have many questions about the litigation process. In Part I of this blog series, we discussed how to start the divorce process in Maryland — and the requirements to commence a case. Part II focuses on what happens leading up to the trial as your case proceeds through the court system. Don't miss the final part, "Part 3," where we explain the last phase of the divorce process and how it can be finalized through a settlement or trial.

The Scheduling Conference

The scheduling conference is usually the first court date in the divorce process in Maryland. At this conference, the court will determine what the issues are, schedule the steps in the development of your case, and determine how the matter will proceed. Deadlines for discovery and required filings will also be set.

Additionally, the court might issue an order at the scheduling conference that mandates you to participate in one or more court programs, including a parenting seminar, children’s program, and mediation. In some cases, custody evaluations, psychological evaluations, substance abuse screening, and paternity testing may be ordered. If appropriate, the court may assign an attorney to represent any minor children.

Mediation

After court pleadings have been filed and both parties have appeared at the scheduling conference, the court may order you to attend one (or more) mediation session(s) — in fact, mediation is typically mandatory if your case involves child custody issues. Mediation is a confidential and non-adversarial process in which a neutral third party, called a mediator, helps facilitate healthy communication between the parties in the hopes of reaching an agreement. The mediation process gives you and your spouse control over the outcome of your case and allows you to find creative solutions for the matters that need to be decided.

Although the court may order mediation, a judge cannot compel you to enter into a settlement agreement or force you to agree. If you and your spouse are unable to reach a resolution, your case will proceed through the litigation process and the court will decide the outcome. Notably, you and your spouse are free to resolve the issues that must be decided at any time before a judge issues a decision.

In addition to mediation, all parents with minor children who are going through the divorce process must complete a six-hour co-parenting class. The classes are not designed to teach parenting, but instead to teach how to effectively co-parent when your romantic relationship has ended. These classes can be taken online and are not meant to help you learn how to parent, but instead they are meant to help you learn how to co-parent effectively while in separate homes. You will get a certificate upon completion, which should be provided to your lawyer.

The Pendente Lite Hearing

In this blog series, we will discuss what to expect as a divorce case proceeds through the legal system. Specifically, Part 1 focused on the steps to take to get a case started and how the divorce process in Maryland begins. Part 2 focuses on what happens leading up to the trial as your case proceeds through the court system. If you and your spouse are thinking about parting ways, contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.

A few months after you have filed for divorce, a pendente lite hearing will be held in your case. Specifically, “pendente lite” is Latin for “during the litigation.” At this court hearing, a family law magistrate or judge will determine how certain issues will be handled while the matrimonial action is ongoing. They will also establish temporary orders for that period of time while your case progresses.

Depending on the facts of the case, issues that are commonly addressed during a pendente lite hearing can include:

• Child custody
• Visitation matters
• Child support
• Alimony
• Attorney’s fees
• Use of the marital home
• Use of the family vehicles
• Maintenance of health insurance

The objective of the pendente lite hearing is to ensure the financial status quo is maintained until the parties can reach a settlement agreement, or the court makes a decision based on the merits of the case. When children are involved in a divorce case, the goal of the pendente lite hearing is to help provide the children with stability and avoid unnecessary disruption to their lives while the case is pending.

Notably, pendente lite hearings do not happen in every divorce case — they must be specifically requested. Whether a pendente lite hearing should be requested will depend upon the circumstances surrounding your specific case. If the temporary orders issued in the case work for both parties, the terms may be incorporated into a settlement agreement.

The Discovery Process

Discovery is the stage of litigation in which information is exchanged between both sides. It allows each spouse to gain a better understanding of the other’s financial situation and position in the case. Both parties may seek financial documents from each other, ask questions about income — and gain information to make informed decisions. Discovery tools that may be used by the parties in a case can include the following:

• Interrogatories — Interrogatories are written questions that can be used to discover more information about a spouse’s income, property, and assets.
• Depositions — Depositions of the parties and any relevant third parties may be conducted during the Maryland divorce process. A deposition is a series of oral questions and answers which are taken under oath, and recorded by a court reporter.
• Requests for Production of Documents — A party in a divorce case may ask their spouse for a copy of documents in their possession that are relevant to the issues that must be decided in the case.
• Requests for Admission — Requests for Admission are a discovery tool that is used in a divorce case. The party upon whom the request was served must answer under penalty of perjury, and either admit or deny specific factual statements.
• Subpoenas — If neither party has access to a specific document or a spouse refuses to comply with a discovery demand, a subpoena can be issued to a third party, who must then provide the information.

Discovery is a crucial part of the Maryland divorce process — and it can also be one of the most lengthy and expensive stages of the litigation process. Failure to comply with discovery requests during a divorce case is a serious matter that can result in serious consequences, including sanctions and being held in contempt of court.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Divorce Attorney

The divorce process in Maryland can be emotionally overwhelming and legally complex. It’s critical to have a skillful divorce attorney by your side who can walk with you every step of the way. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our Fulton, Maryland divorce lawyers are committed to ensuring you understand your rights and options — and will help you navigate the court system. Trained in collaborative divorce, mediation, and traditional divorce litigation strategies, we will work closely with you to find a solution that is best for you and your family. To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Maple Lawn divorce attorney, call us at (240) 652-2596">(240) 652-2596 or contact us online.

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