Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a household phrase and is only growing in ubiquity. The tools implementing “AI” are increasingly being used to assist with various tasks, such as writing music, creating images, and even answering legal questions.
There is no question that AI has and will continue to usher in a new age of convenience and the sense that one can tackle any issue they are faced with. However, the sense of confidence provided by AI carries with it significant risk and for individuals seeking to represent themselves whilst using AI tools, doing so can be to their detriment. Let’s explore the potential dangers of AI in the context of handling your divorce case.
1. AI Lacks Personal Knowledge of Your Unique Situation
No two divorces are the same. While technology is advancing, AI lacks the ability to understand subtle facts and laws in order to employ unique strategy decisions. Meaning, a computer can’t think like a human. This is because the result of any AI prompt is derivative of prior circumstances known to the AI database. Therefore, using AI tools may prevent you from developing a strategy specific to your set of facts. For example:
- Child Custody Issues: Determining the best interests of the child in a custody dispute is not a simple task. Maryland courts consider a variety of legal factors. Assuming AI tools are able to accurately determine the legal factors, applying your unique facts to those legal factors weighed in the context of your case and your opposing party’s position is a task that AI is unable to perform at a level necessary for your case.
- Property Division: Maryland is an “equitable distribution” state, meaning property acquired during the marriage is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. Like with custody cases, Maryland courts consider several legal factors and again, AI may not accurately balance the equities of parties in order to deal with assets like retirement accounts, family businesses, or real estate holdings.
2. AI Cannot Navigate Court Procedures and Legal Nuances
The divorce process in Maryland involves an understanding of specific legal procedures, statutes, rules, and decades of case law. While AI can help you generate forms or define legal concepts, it is oftentimes a flawed process that leads to obvious inaccuracies.
- Filing and Documentation: Mistakes in filing forms or drafting motions can lead to significant adverse outcomes, including the risk of a court ordering that you pay attorneys fees due to your submission of documents to the court that contain inaccuracies.
- Courtroom Representation: If your divorce proceeds to court, AI cannot represent you. While the concept may make for an interesting movie premise, the reality is that you are “on your own” in front of the Court and AI as a crutch is unavailable to you.
3. AI is Likely to be “Out of Date” on Maryland-Specific Family Law Concepts
While AI can pull from vast amounts of legal data, it is likely to be out of date when it comes to recent changes or updates in Maryland family law. Laws and court rulings change over time, and even a small change in legislation or case law can impact the outcome of your divorce.
For example, Maryland has recently seen a change to the grounds for divorce and AI systems are unlikely to be updated to incorporate these changes, which will have a significant impact on any prompt you submit.
4. AI is Incapable of Drafting a Long-Term Successful Agreement
Divorce settlements can have long-lasting effects on your finances, property, and parenting arrangements. Mistakes made during the negotiation and drafting process due to a reliance on AI can be difficult and expensive to correct after the fact. For instance:
- Child Support and Alimony: Calculating child support or alimony involves multiple factors, and AI may not consider all the nuances required by Maryland law. A miscalculation in these areas could leave you financially vulnerable or locked into an unfair agreement.
- Enforceability of Agreements: If you use AI to draft a separation agreement, they may not meet the legal standards required by Maryland courts, a concern that may only be apparent months or years after the fact and lead to significant and costly litigation in the future.
Conclusion: The Value of Legal Expertise in Maryland Divorce Cases
While AI can be a helpful supplement in some areas of life, it is not a substitute for professional legal advice, particularly in the arena of your domestic legal case. Maryland’s family law system is complex, and the stakes are too high to rely solely on AI-generated information or documents. A skilled family law attorney can provide personalized advice, an understanding of the legal system, and the ability to advocate for your rights in a way that AI simply cannot. If you’re considering representing yourself in a Maryland divorce with the help of AI, caution is warranted. The potential pitfalls are numerous, and the long-term consequences can be severe. By working with an experienced family law attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected, your case is handled properly, and you can move forward with your life on solid legal footing.
If you have questions about your divorce or need assistance with your case, feel free to contact our office. We’re here to help you through this challenging time with the expertise and care you deserve.
