How Not to Use Social Media During a Divorce
Many people use social media. In fact, more than eight billion people have accounts with at least one social networking site. It is a fun, easy way to keep in touch with friends and family located around the world, but it is so much more than a connection tool. Social media allows you to meet new people, learn new information, and share information about your life. It is an online diary of sorts to many people. If you are an avid social media user like so many other people in the world, it is important to proceed with caution if you are going through a divorce. The information posted on social media could come back to haunt you when your court day arrives if you aren’t careful with the things that you share and post. A divorce attorney can advise you on what you should not be doing when with your social media accounts.
Be Careful What Your Post
Anything posted on social media is potential evidence that your spouse may use against you in court. Don’t think that your spouse is unable to see your posts simply because you aren’t friends with them. Your spouse has ample opportunity to get ahold of posts which they can use to their advantage when your court date arrives. Mutual friends may share posts or screenshots with your spouse, and there are social media features (such as Facebook’s Friends of Friends) which may allow people who are not your friends to see your posts.
Don’t Get Comfortable When Posting
Don’t get comfortable behind the screen when creating social media posts. Once you post something, it can linger on forever, even if the post is deleted later. Not only can the post be cached within search engines, it is possible for other people to save it to their phone or PC by taking screenshots of that post. No prior permission is necessary to share these posts with your spouse or the divorce lawyer representing your partner. Always remember that anything you post on social media may be accessible to anyone, at any time, even after a deletion.
Abstain from Social Media if You Can
Some people suggest that you avoid social media until the divorce is finalized, though considering that some proceedings can take 18 months to complete, most people do not find this option feasible. If you can avoid social media altogether, that option is best. Otherwise, it is imperative to pay careful attention to what you post on social media so that it does not interfere in any way with the divorce or the outcome of the matter. So many people learn the hard way that, what you post on social media does matter and can certainly come back to haunt you later.
Do not post any details about the divorce on your social media networks. Anything that you post could possibly be used against you in your divorce case. Many times posts are misconstrued so that your spouse can use them against you. People will comment, ask questions, and a conversation may ensue that could lead to the wrong words being said that can hurt you later. Speak to close family and friends concerning the divorce off of social media and out of text form.
Wait to Announce a New Relationship on Social Media
If you are dating someone new, do not post details about it on social media until the divorce is finalized. A divorce attorney will advise you to avoid posting pictures of your new lover, no matter how badly you want to show the world your new catch. This can cause a plethora of problems and potentially scare away your new mate who doesn’t want to get caught in the middle of divorce drama. Furthermore, your spouse can use the fact that you are in another relationship while still in a matrimonial communion with them against you during the court proceedings.
Social media is a helpful tool that allows you to stay in contact with people that you know and even those that you don’t, such as businesses, celebrities, and more. But, it can also hurt you if you aren’t careful with the information that you post during a divorce. Talk to your divorce attorney to learn more about the effects of social media on divorce and protect yourself. Keep the information above in mind if you are getting divorced and make sure social media doesn’t cause any unnecessary turmoil.
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