The use of electronic data as evidence in divorce cases has sharply increased in the past five years, according to a survey of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

E-mail is the most commonly used form of electronic evidence, according to 82% of the lawyers surveyed. Text and instant messaging and Internet histories both came in second with 7% each. GPS data was cited by another 1%.

Wives are more likely to be the ones using electronic evidence. According to the lawyers surveyed, 27% said wives use the data more often in cases, while only 5% said husbands did.

"Technology is having a big impact on the way that divorces are now conducted," said James Hennenhoefer, president of the AAML. "Many people still don't realize how much evidence can be gleaned from personal electronics ranging from computers to cell phones and GPS devices. In the Internet age, there is often a very clear trail that has been left behind and can be easily traced."