Social media has become a big part of most people's lives. From Facebook to Twitter and Instagram, these platforms have become a safe space for people to connect with their peers, share their thoughts, and sometimes post updates about their personal life.
However, as exciting and relieving as these platforms can be, sometimes your posts can negatively affect your life. And one of the examples is how social media can impact divorce proceedings and decisions. This blog explains the essential things to know about how social media can potentially harm your divorce case.
What Kinds of Posts Should You Avoid?
You must be mindful of what you post or comment on social media during and after marriage. If you are going through a divorce, avoid posting anything considered inappropriate or offensive by court standards.
Things you should avoid posting include, but are not limited to:
- Photos or posts that imply alcohol or drug use
- Posts that vent about your ex or accuse them of wrongdoing
- Pictures that could be viewed as bragging or overly flippant
- Posts that portray adultery
- Posts that could be seen as a way of manipulating the court's decision
Remember, anything you post or comment on can be used against you in court. So keep posts respectful and free of negative language or behavior. You may think you are seeking sympathy or support, only for the posts to be used in a way that could damage your case.
What Are Important Things to Note?
If you are unsure how to handle your social media accounts during divorce proceedings, here are a few things to consider.
Check Your Privacy Settings
Naturally, even people who don't follow you might be so invested in a case that they may search for information about you online. Check your privacy settings on all platforms to ensure only the people you want can see what you post.
It would help to lock your accounts so that only mutual friends can see your posts. In the same way, if you shared an account with your spouse before, make sure to restrict their access. For example, you can change passwords and limit their ability to post or view content.
Check Who Follows You
Divorce is a sensitive matter, so you don't want to include just anyone in your space. Some only follow you to have access to the content you post. So make sure to check who your followers are, and consider unfollowing anyone who might be involved on the other end of the divorce proceedings or looking for information they can use against you.
Don't Delete Anything
You probably have memories you don't want to remember, which is understandable. But deleting content on your social media accounts can be seen as suspicious and could even be used against you in court.
Also, the court may request your social media history during evidence disclosure. Failure to provide complete or accurate records can be seen as a crime, and you may be forced to pay the cost of the posts' recovery.
Can You Post Your Kids?
Depending on the court's decision, you may not post pictures of your kids without the other parent's consent. Also, if you can post, consult your ex-partner (or a lawyer who can mediate between you and your ex-spouse) and develop a plan on what type of photos can be shared.
Now that you understand the potential impact of social media on divorce proceedings, you can be mindful of how to use it properly. If you have difficulty navigating social media during divorce, consult a reliable family attorney to help you understand what to do on your platforms and things to avoid.
Hoffman & Hoffman is your trusted family law firm that can provide you with legal guidance, advice, and support during your divorce proceedings. We will save you from mistakes that can harm your case. Contact us
today for a consultation.
