Many of us spend a substantial amount of time on various social media platforms. Unfortunately, if you routinely share pictures on Instagram or enjoy using the check-in feature on Facebook to let your followers know where you are having lunch, you can easily derail your case and negatively impact the outcome of your divorce settlement. As a general rule, if you are going through a divorce, it is best to stay off social media until after it is finalized.
Why You Should Take a Social Media Break
Social media is incredibly pervasive in contemporary society, providing a wealth of information on those who choose to engage in it. To make matters worse, much of what you post online can easily be taken out of context, which is why taking a break at this time is so crucial. No social media post you make is worth what is at stake in a divorce.
Here are some of the risks you should be aware of:
- Pictures are revealing: A picture can say a lot about your lifestyle, including your spending habits, drinking habits, how often you go out, and who you spend your time with. Of course, many of the deductions people make when looking at the pictures you post might be wrong, but it can still be damaging in court. Your best bet is to avoid posting pictures entirely. You should change the settings on your profile, so you can prevent others from tagging you in photos.
- Friends can share information: You and your spouse probably have a fair amount of mutual friends and it will be impossible to know who is loyal to whom. Therefore, even if you think your posts are private, one of your mutual friends might relay the information to your spouse.
- Angry rants are damaging: Social media practically lends itself to oversharing and many users often rant and vent to their followers about some of the obstacles they are facing. If you turn to social media to vent about your spouse or your divorce, however, this will look bad in court, especially if you have children. You do not want a judge to think that you are an uncooperative co-parent or that you badmouth your spouse in front of them as much as you do online.
If you choose to use social media, never post anything about your divorce, even if it only indirectly hints at it. Before you share a post or a photo, you should also ask yourself if you would mind if the court saw it. If you have any doubts, err on the side of caution and do not share the post.
Discuss Your Case with a Knowledgeable Divorce Attorney
If you are planning on getting a divorce, contact Cynthia Tracy, Attorney at Law, P.C. for the exceptional legal guidance you need to get through it. Our team will work diligently to create personalized solutions that address your concerns and achieve your goals.
Contact our law office today at (281) 612-5443 to set up a consultation.
