Social media is commonplace in today’s society and many of us have multiple accounts for various platforms. Although Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all great ways to stay connected to friends and family, they can become double-edged swords in certain situations. If you are involved in any legal proceedings, such as a divorce, continuing to use social media can be incredibly harmful and may potentially affect the outcome of your settlement. It might seem challenging, but the best thing you can do at this time is avoid using social media altogether until your divorce is finalized.
Why is Using Social Media Risky?
Social media was designed to allow users to share their lives with each other. However, people often overshare the details of day-to-day life, providing the kind of intimate knowledge we used to only share with our family or closest friends. You might think your information is private, but it can actually rear its ugly head in court.
Here are some ways in which social media can affect your divorce:
- Your finances will be exposed: No, you probably never post about your income or how much you spent on dinner, but there are other ways to flaunt your spending habits. If you go abroad and use the check-in feature to show which fancy hotel you are staying at, a judge will think you are more well-off than you are letting on or that you are hiding marital assets. Either way, it will affect your case.
- Your posts could hurt your chances of obtaining custody: Everyone needs to blow off steam once in a while by having a drink now and then or going out with friends to a little get-together. However, if you post about it and share pictures of you and your friends cutting loose, you might seem like an irresponsible parent to a judge.
- Your friends are still friends with your spouse: You likely blocked your spouse from your social media accounts, but you probably still have many mutual friends. Some of your mutual friends might talk to your spouse about your online posts, giving him or her access to information that otherwise would have never been available. Unfortunately, it is near impossible to figure out who is loyal to you and who is loyal to your spouse.
- Your posts might contradict the things you say in court: We tend to post about the positives in our lives because we want our friends and family to support our accomplishments. Doing so can portray you in a way that does not necessarily correlate with reality and it might come back to haunt you in court. Avoid the possibility of contradicting yourself altogether and stop using social media.
Schedule a Case Review with an Experienced Divorce Attorney Today!
Are you getting a divorce? Do not try to field your way through this complex legal process on your own without assistance. At Anne E. Raduns, PA, our divorce team will provide the exceptional legal guidance you need to help you dissolve your marriage as smoothly as possible. We understand the emotional challenges of dissolving your marriage, which is why we are committed to helping clients make sound decisions that will protect their best interests so they can start afresh.
Contact our law office today at (352) 310-8235 to request an initial case review with our trusted attorney.