Most people understand that posting on social media on divorce can impact the divorce process, and article will discuss what information you need to keep off of social media.
- Even posts to friends typically do not stay private.
You may be posting just to a small audience of friends and family and think that the information will stay private. Remember that posts can be shared, saved, forwarded and discussed. When you put information out in the internet, you lose control over how it will be spread.
- Pictures and comments can be evidence of bad parenting behavior.
A disparaging or threatening comment can be evidence that is used against you in a divorce trial. Pictures or post indicating excessive drinking or drug use could be detrimental to your case. This applies to any boyfriends or girlfriends that you may be in a relationship with because their behavior can impact custody also if you cohabitate.
- Do not post violations of court orders.
Whatever you do, don’t post anything that shows you are violating a court order. If you are not supposed to see you ex, do not post pictures or comments to indicate that you have violated that order. If you have been told by a judge certain parameters about your posts, your kids, your finances, etc., it goes almost without saying that you shouldn’t incriminate yourself by showing that you have disregarded the judge’s order.
- Statements on dating aps or elsewhere that are not truthful can impact your case.
Be wary of making any statements on social media that aren’t accurate. For example, if you claim to be single without kids, that may be perceived indicate that you have less interest in parenting. If you make false statements about your ex-spouse, those can potentially get you into even more hot water as they may be perceived as harassing.
- Posts that put your mental health in question can have an impact.
It is not uncommon when going through a divorce to be depressed, anxious and angry and perhaps even to have an occasional suicidal or even violent thought. Be careful about posting these feelings. Although it is natural to have strong emotions during this time, posting about those feeling publicly will not help your case. See a therapist or an in person conversation with a close friend or family member.
- Watch out for posting information about money.
Finances are a key part of a divorce, so be careful about what you post when it comes to money. Be cautious about posting about vacations, expensive entertainment, food or purchases. Be aware that anything you post on a site such as LinkedIn or Facebook about your income, promotions, bonuses, etc. will be in the public domain and could impeach you if that doesn’t match up with the information you have presented in court. Be aware that anything you post about your earning capacity is important as well.
It isn’t easy to watch your posts and pictures on social media, but the divorce process will only be for a limited time. By being aware of the pitfalls discussed in this article, you can avoid negatively impacting your case by inadvertently social media disclosures.
