Judges, Palmer says, already “struggle with what to do about affairs with humans,” AI companions complicate the situation, because they consider the wider impact of the relationship. The addition of children complicates the situation even further. Custody battles can be complicated. “it is conceivable and likely that they would question the parents’ judgment because they’re having intimate discussions with a chatbot,” The following are some examples of how to get started: “brings into question how they are spending time with their child.”
Yang says that even though chatbots are only a few decades old, they will play an increasingly important role in divorces and marriages. “As it continues improving, becoming more realistic, compassionate, and empathetic, more and more people in unhappy marriages who are lonely are going to be going to seek love with a bot.”
Yang’s clients have not raised the question yet. But she expects that divorces will increase in coming years when more people seek companionship through AI. “We’ll probably see an increased rate of divorce filings. When Covid happened a few years ago, the increase in divorces was very significant. We probably saw three times the amount of divorces that were filed around 2020 to 2022. After 2022, once things got back to normal, divorce rates were back down. But it will probably go back up.”
Some places are already seeing this. According to data collected by a UK-based service, the use of chatbots apps by a spouse is a factor that contributes to more divorces. Divorce-Online. Clients have reported that apps like Replika, Anima, and others have increased the divorce rate this year. “emotional or romantic attachment.”
Palmer still says that AI can have a positive impact on relationships, despite the disruption it causes. “Some people are finding real fulfillment.” She warns you that “people need to recognize the limitations.” California was the first to adopt an enforceable anti-terrorism law in October. AI regulations law Chatbots as companions. In January 2026, the law will come into force and require apps to include certain features such as age confirmation and reminders of break times for minors. It also makes it illegal to use chatbots as medical professionals. Businesses that benefit from fake deepfakes can also be fined as much as $250,000 for each incident.
Palmer may have seen some of what is happening today with AI and social media before. “It could be that a partner connected with someone they haven’t seen in years. Or that there is just a true need to have communication. It is a rare case anymore where social media is not involved.” She says that AI is a natural evolution. “And what I am finding is, AI is turning into exactly that.”
