Social media plays a prominent role in many of our lives, allowing us to share in ways that were previously impossible. Through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you can share pictures, your activities and interests, and the most intimate details of your life with friends, family, and even acquaintances. While this is a great way to stay connected, it can pose some risks to the outcome of your divorce if you are in the midst of dissolving your marriage. In fact, it is often advisable for divorcing spouses to refrain from posting on any of these sites until the divorce is official.
Reasons why you should consider unplugging from social media during the pendency of your divorce proceeding include, but are not limited to:
- Finances: Sure, it is likely that none of us are listing our income on social media, but there are plenty of other indicators that can hint at one’s financial prosperity. If you are the type who loves to brag online about lavish purchases or exotic vacations, this could all come back to haunt you if you claimed low income in hopes of avoiding high alimony payments or child support payments in the judgment. What you post online could end up being used against you in court and the worst part is that you may also look like a liar in the eyes of a judge. If you think that your spouse will not get access to your social media posts, simply because he or she is blocked, think again. If you share mutual friends, they could share your posts with your spouse.
- Dating Sites: Your marriage might be unofficially over, but you are still officially married until a judge signs off on your divorce decree. If you start creating dating profiles now, it might serve as evidence of potential cheating. Moreover, if you are anything like the vast majority of people, the version of yourself that you present on a dating site is probably different than the person you actually are. What might seem like a harmless fib to get a date will make you look like a liar in court.
- Child Custody: There is such a thing as oversharing. Social media often encourages this by suggesting you check in your location, which is an easy way for people to essentially keep track of your whereabouts. For divorcing spouses who have children, this can be particularly problematic. If you are involved in a child custody dispute and are posting pictures and updates that could reflect negatively upon you, especially at times when you should be exercising custody of the children, a judge may be more inclined to award your spouse a higher percentage of custody in the judgment.
Preventing the Negative Effects of Social Media
Ultimately, the best thing to do in this situation is to avoid social media entirely until your divorce is finalized. If you are still tempted to use social media, however, consider the following:
- Do not make disparaging remarks regarding your spouse
- Do not harass your spouse directly or indirectly through family and friends
- Do not post about the divorce proceeding at all
- Do not post any questionable pictures of yourself
If you are not sure if something is acceptable to post, ask yourself if you would mind a judge viewing your post. If the answer to that is yes, do not post it. Too much is at stake!
Divorce Attorney in Chesterfield
Moving forward with the decision to file for divorce is never an easy one, but is often necessary for many couples. If you and your spouse have decided to dissolve your marriage, now is the time to seek the skilled legal help you will need to ensure you navigate this process as smoothly as possible. At Galmiche Law Firm, P.C., our dedicated Chesterfield attorney has helped countless individuals achieve the best possible results in and outside of the courtroom.
For the skilled and compassionate representation you deserve, contact us today at (636) 552-4841 to schedule a consultation. You should not have to go through this alone.
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Social media is everywhere nowadays, but should you continue to use it while you are in the midst of a divorce case? Read our blog to learn about the dangers of continuing to use social media throughout your divorce.
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How Social Media Can Affect Your Divorce
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Can posting on social media impact your divorce case? Before you continue to post on your favorite social media platforms, read our blog to find out how doing so can jeopardize the outcome of your divorce settlement.