Social media has a strong presence in our lives nowadays, providing multiple platforms for us all to overshare the details of our lives. For most, posting pictures that show off a fancy dinner or a night out at the hottest bar in town might not be a big deal. However, when you are going through a divorce, even a post that seems frivolous and harmless can come back to bite you in the worst way. As a general rule of thumb, clients should avoid using social media while going through the divorce process to ensure their posts do not somehow negatively influence the outcome of their settlement.
Here are some of the reasons why it is wise to stay logged out of your social media accounts at this time:
- Photos can easily be turned against you: The pictures you post online capture a brief second of time, without any background or context. Unfortunately, that is what makes it easy for others to use the photos you post on social media as evidence against you. The pricey-looking steak dinner you took a picture of and shared on Instagram might help your ex-spouse argue that you are more financially well off than you claim. In fact, he or she might even accuse you of hiding assets. If you are fighting for child custody and posted some pictures of yourself with friends at a bar, your ex-spouse might claim that you are an alcoholic or that you irresponsible and party all the time. Why give him or her any extra leverage to use against you?
- Tag, you’re it: The infamous tagging feature on most social media platforms is another problem for divorcing spouses with an online presence. Edit the settings on your account to prevent others from tagging you in posts or photos. You should also ask your close friends and family to refrain from including you in any social media posts until your divorce is finalized.
- Venting online will backfire: If you have been using social media for a while, chances are you might have already had the opportunity to use it for venting about a bad day you had or another personal issue. In most cases, this might not have any impact on your life whatsoever, but if you are getting a divorce and decide to vent about your terrible spouse to your entire list of friends, this will become a problem for you in court, especially if you share children. A judge might think you will not be a cooperative co-parent, which could affect your custody arrangement.
The best thing you can do for yourself at this time is to hold off on using social media until your divorce reaches a resolution. The memes and cat pictures will be waiting for you.
Reach Out to Our Compassionate Divorce Team Today!
If you are getting divorced from your spouse, you need an attorney on your side to walk you through the process and protect your interests. At Haddad Law Office, P.C., our divorce attorney has the experience and knowledge you need to get through this difficult time.
Contact our office today at (315) 505-8176 to schedule a confidential case evaluation.
