Social media is usually a great way of sharing news and everyday events with your friends and family. However, it may not be a very bright idea to use it during your divorce proceedings. After you file for divorce, it is not surprising to find the urge to vent on social media. It is a good way of expressing your feelings and frustration. However, you do not want to mix social media with legal matters.
Social media has changed the way people are looked at. What may seem like an innocent Facebook post can be the beginning to start something negative in your divorce case. This is why a divorce attorney near me suggests you stay off of social media until your divorce is finalized.
Reasons to stay off social media during your divorce
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Your posts are never fully secure.
It does not matter whether you have kept your social media account private or not. You never know who among the people in your friend list may partner with the other party and send the screenshots of your posts to them. It is not common for attorneys to look into social media posts as a part of their investigation. If they find something they can make use of, such as an angry rant on Facebook, it is likely going to be displayed in court.
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Photos can reveal a lot.
While posting photos is common on social media and one of the major reasons most people use social media platforms, it can become a liability during a divorce. Even an innocent picture of you spending time with your friends can be twisted into something negative and held against you in court. The other party could argue that you do not care about the divorce process or your kids. Photos can be easily taken out of context, so staying on the safer side is better.
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Posts can show your spending habits.
Money is one of the biggest issues in a divorce. Posting photos of yourself on vacation, shopping, or dining out in expensive restaurants with your friends can seem innocent. However, they can be financially disastrous to you. For example, suppose you are seeking spousal support. In that case, the other party could argue that you already have enough money to take care of your expenses, given that you keep posting photos indicating spending of money.
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Venting can get you in trouble.
What you may call venting on social media could be seen as badmouthing by the other party and the court. Social media is not the place to badmouth your ex or even discuss the private things of your divorce. These online posts can come back to haunt you in court and even affect child custody battles.
