Social media offers a small glimpse into our everyday lives and allows us to share our lives with our families and friends; but during your divorce case, it can be extremely harmful. Some details of your life are worth sharing on social media
While some big life events are worth sharing on social media, others are better left unposted. The details of your divorce are a prime example.
The things you post publicly on social media can be used against you by attorneys for your spouse. That’s why it’s critical that, when going through a divorce, you avoid some risky social media habits that could provide ammunition to the other side and undermine your divorce case. Here are some social media habits to avoid during your divorce.
Posting about your spouse or ex-spouse.
It’s never a good idea to vent your frustrations about your spouse’s behavior on a public forum such as social media. In general, you shouldn’t publicly speak negatively of others, even if you plan to delete the post later. As has been proven many times over, things posted on social media can live on forever thanks to screenshots, so it’s important you don’t wade into the legal minefield of emotionally venting you and your spouse’s business for all to see.
Deleting activity that could be used against you.
Most people think that when they delete their social media activity, it disappears forever. However, it is almost impossible to permanently delete anything from your online presence. Even the act of trying to delete your social media activity can be held against you as the destruction of evidence or inference of guilt.
Sharing Locations on Social Media
Many social media platforms allow for geotagging, which means that when you make a post the location from which the post was made is also revealed. With many platforms, geotagging features can be toggled on and off. Make sure that you don’t allow geotagging, as your social media accounts may be creating a trackable database of your whereabouts that could be used against you in court to damage your case.
Discussing new romantic relationships.
Any new romantic relationships should be kept private until your divorce is final. Even if your new relationship began after your marriage ended, any evidence of a new relationship can be used to prove an affair. Keep your new love interest under wraps until everything is settled.
Posting photographs of or mentioning drugs and alcohol.
Evidence of drug and alcohol use can be used to prove that you are an unfit parent. Even a casual “Friday Night Wine” post or a picture of you sharing a beer with a friend can be taken out of context or exaggerated. Exercise extreme caution when anyone wants to take a picture of you in social drinking settings.
Most social media platforms have an option that allows users to temporarily pause their account. During a divorce, it’s best to play it safe and avoid all social media use until the divorce and related proceedings are final.
Ask for help.
Contact our law firm today at 562-439-9001 if you or someone you know needs the help of an experienced family law attorney. We will be here for you when you call. Schedule a free consultation!
We are very central to all of Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Newport Beach; and regularly serve all of Los Angeles.