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Many of us use social media and likely even have accounts on multiple platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook. There can be a lot of joy in sharing our lives with so many of the people we know online and there is no doing that social media makes it easier than ever to build bigger and stronger networks. The problem is that it can also present a lot of dangers to those who are going through legal proceedings. If you are going through a divorce, it would be wise to hold off on posting to social media until after it is finalized.
How can something so seemingly harmless have such a profound impact on your divorce? Here are some of the risks of using social media throughout your divorce:
- You might appear dishonest: Social media is notorious for making life appear far better than it actually is. After all, we typically want to share the very best of life rather than our hardships. If you are trying to keep your spousal support payments down and stated that you are unable to make higher payments, you might appear a little dishonest if you make a post on Facebook to show off the new and pricey phone you just purchased. In fact, you could even potentially be accused of hiding assets, which could get you into some hot water, or affect how property and assets are divided.
- Venting will come back to haunt you: We have all been there. We have all been angry and decided to unleash that anger in an online post. However, if you vent your anger during your divorce and badmouth your soon-to-be ex-spouse, this could also harm you in court, particularly if you share children. Keep in mind that the court believes both parents should continue to be involved in the lives of their children, so if the court thinks you will be an uncooperative co-parent, it will likely affect your chances of securing the custody arrangement you are seeking.
- Pictures tell a story: Many of us post pictures to social media and some platforms are specifically designed for sharing pictures. Although they are certainly a great way to share with others, the fact is that pictures can be taken out of context and used against you in court. No matter how benign it might seem, you can guarantee there is a way to twist any picture against you. Always err on the side of caution.
- Your friends might not be your friends: The word “friend” takes on a whole other meaning online. The people you thought were your friends during your marriage might not be your friends now, so do not assume you can trust everyone on your friends list to not relay any of the information you post to your spouse. Since you probably have a lot of mutual friends, the only way to be safe is to refrain from engaging in social media.
Schedule a Consultation with a Divorce Attorney Today!
If you are going through a divorce, you should not hold off on hiring a divorce attorney to represent you and protect your interests. At Sandground, West, Silek, Raminpour & Wright, PLC, PLLC, our divorce team will provide you with the exceptional and compassionate services you need.
Call our law office at (703) 420-7011 to schedule a confidential case review and learn more about how we can help you!