What You Need to Know About Social Media During Divorce
All is Fair in Love and War
We have all heard the phrase “all is fair in love and war,” but did you know that this also applies to your spouse (or spouse’s lawyer) using your social media account against you in a divorce proceeding? It’s true, it is increasingly common for one (or one’s attorney) to use social media against the other party in a divorce case. If you are going through a divorce, or anticipate going through a divorce, you will want to think twice about posting anything on social media.
Social media accounts can be used as evidence when trying to prove something in a divorce proceeding. Social media evidence can be good in demonstrating things that are true, like showing that an ex is hiding assets or is an unfit parent, but there are times posts can be taken out of context and backfire. It is best to forego posting on social media while you are going through a divorce.
Posts Can Be Used Against You in Custody Cases
In looking for support online from friends and family, innocent messages often backfire. Take the following post for example:
“Life is going to change drastically, I can’t imagine being a single parent, it’s going to be hard and take a lot of work.”
This post was written innocently when looking for online support from family and friends, but this post can also support the argument that the individual would struggle if they had custody of the child/children. A post like this may be used to argue that the individual should not have child custody.
Posts Can Be Used Against You in Financial Settlements
Posts and pictures reveal spending habits. Do you frequently dine out at nice restaurants? Wear designer clothes? Or did you go on vacation during divorce proceedings? Posting pictures showing you are happy and living life may seem harmless, but those posts can also be used as evidence that you don’t need money because you are already living an extravagant lifestyle.
Posts Can Be Stall Divorce Negotiations
Divorce negotiations may be drawn out. You know the marriage is “over” but it is not official until all the documents are signed. The last thing you want (or need) is social media making negotiations harder for you. Going through a divorce is a sensitive time, you don’t know what will set your spouse off, but better not to chance to stir any drama with a social media post.
Recommendations for Social Media During a Divorce
1. Nonuse: Don’t use social media for ANYTHING while going through a divorce. It doesn’t matter that a post isn’t related to the divorce, it can be used against you in the divorce proceedings.
2. Make requests: Ask friends and family not to post anything related to you on their social media pages.
3. Deactivate: Consider deactivating your social media accounts. Deactivating an account is better than deleting an account; deleting an account may suggest you have something to hide.
4. Privacy Control: Use privacy controls and remove public access to your account, delete spouses access, and delete mutual friends access (who may flip-flop sides with you and your ex during a divorce).
Social Media After a Divorce
After the divorce is finalized you may want to get back on social media. If you choose to do so, do so with caution. A post may give reason to reduce alimony payments or change child custody agreements. Assume that you will remain under close scrutiny by your ex-spouse and his/her lawyer.
Remember, posts are forever even if they are deleted. Anything you post on your social media is permanent and you are only adding to a file that can be used against you in the future.
Mestayer Law Firm provides civil litigation for clients throughout the Gulf Coast area including Pascagoula, Biloxi and Gulfport. If you are in need of a lawyer, let us help. Call us today at 228-762-1193 or visit www.pascagoulalaw.com. We are your legal experts! You can also visit our office located at 2128 Ingalls Ave. in Pascagoula, Mississippi. We look forward to talking with you!
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. I am licensed to practice law in Mississippi and have based the information presented on US laws. This article is legal information and is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be seen as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before you rely on this information. Any information provided in this blog is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but that there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.
Mestayer Law Firm provides civil litigation for clients throughout the Gulf Coast area including Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Gulfport. If you are making future plans for your estate, then contact us today and let us help take care of every detail of your finances. Call us today at 228-762-1193 or visit www.pascagoulalaw.com. We are your legal experts! You can also visit our office located at 2128 Ingalls Ave. in Pascagoula, Mississippi. We look forward to talking with you!
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. I am licensed to practice law in Mississippi and have based the information presented on US laws. This article is legal information and is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be seen as legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before you rely on this information. Any information provided in this blog is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but that there may be omissions, errors, or mistakes.
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