From the “why do people bother getting married in the first place” files comes this unusual story about a woman, who married her husband and then decided to file for divorce via Facebook.
And as far as Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper is concerned, that’s perfectly acceptable.
Cooper honored the request after Ellanora Baidoo tried repeatedly to serve her hubby with the divorce papers the old-fashioned way. Unfortunately for Baidoo, Victor Sena Blood-Dzraku, her husband in a 100 percent George Costanza move, cut off most contact with her when he realized she wanted a divorce. He shortened any efforts to phone and Facebook, and then went dark on the social network, leaving Baidoo no other option.
Under the terms of the judgment, Victor will be “served” through Facebook three times (once per week for three straight weeks) or until he officially acknowledges it, whichever comes first.
(No word on whether Facebook automatically marking the message as “Seen” will count.)
Baidoo decided it was time to call it quits with Victor after he “reneged on his promise to a traditional Ghanaian wedding ceremony as well,” the Grio website reports.
While some on Facebook didn’t see the problem with Judge Cooper’s ruling, Nesha Brynn raised a very good point: “And how exactly will anyone be able to prove HE is the one who reads the message. His account don’t mean someone else can’t access or hack into it. That ruling is dumb.”
Fair point.
Others found it to be a “perfect solution” to elusive spouses.
“Now let’s serve these deadbeat dads that the courts can’t find for child support,” wrote David Morris.
I know that the web has made it much easier to accomplish certain legal tasks, but what about this case, readers? Does allowing Facebook to “stand in” as a serving method step over any lines, or is it a good solution? Sound off in the comments section.
MAKES SENSE TO ME! TO THE PERSON WHO ASKED HOW TO KNOW IF IT’S THE CORRECT PERSON ANSWERING, HOW DO YOU KNOW THE CORRECT PERSON WAS SERVED BY A SERVER? WHY SHOULD WE PAY MORE $$$ FOR SOMEONE TO SERVE OUR SPOUSES AFTER WE ALREADY HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIVORCE PAPERWORK (IF IT SHOWS UP OR YOU ARE TOLD “THERE IS A PROBLEM”). WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS WAY? “SPOUSE HAS NO COMPUTER?” NOT YOUR PROBLEM. “SPOUSE MAY NOT SEE IT?” NOT YOUR PROBLEM, HOW DO YOU KNOW IF HE READS THE PAPER IT GETS ADVERTISED IN IF THAT’S THE ROUTE THAT IS TAKEN?