If I have the password to my husband’s account that I set up, can I go into it and print out statements?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I have the password to my husband’s account that I set up, can I go into it and print out statements?
My ex-husband is claiming that he does not have. Is this legal or would I get in trouble. Again I am going to stress I am the one who set up his account online for him and he has not change the password.
Asked on December 4, 2011 under Family Law, Florida
Answers:
L.P., Member, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Thank you for submitting your question regarding searching through your husband’s personal accounts. First, you should check the surveillance laws for your state. Each state will vary when it comes to surveillance, including acting like a private investigator and going through your husband’s email. If your state allows for this type of surveillance then you are likely in the clear to search away.
If you are unsure of the laws of your state, you could contact a family law attorney in your area that would likely be familiar with these laws and could point you in the right direction. Sometimes people avoid attorneys because they think hiring an attorney will cost too much money, but when you worried about your behavior that could be illegal, spending a little money to know the difference between what is legal and what is illegal is money well spent.
If you reside in a state where it is illegal to search through password protected accounts, it will not make a difference if you knew the password. This could be compared to knowing someone’s pin number for their bank account. If you knew a pin number you would not think that you could make withdrawals whenever you wanted from their account. And while some states may not allow you to go through their email, you may be able to hire a private investigator to obtain the information you are seeking, but in a legal manner.
Check with an attorney in your area regarding this matter, because you want to be able to get enough information to support your assertions that your husband was lying about statements.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.