Should You Avoid Social Media During Divorce?
Posted on February 22, 2016 in Divorce
It is no secret that divorce can be messy and complicated. This is all the more true with the proliferation of social media, a virtual world in which very little is left secret and no trauma is left private. If you are facing divorce, there are several lifestyle choices that you will have to make—beginning with finances, living arrangements, and parenting schedules. With these crucial and weighty decisions to make, it can seem a fool’s errand to attempt to also control less-important things like social media. And yet if you are going through divorce, understanding how to get your social media accounts under control can be one of the most important things you can do.
Why Worry?
There are several reasons for this, and they are not all only applicable if you are going through a less-than-amicable divorce process. The first, and most obvious, is that it can be painful to watch your soon-to-be-ex spouse moving on with his or her life. The second is that anything you say on social media can be used against you during the divorce proceedings—something that divorcing couples in the past never had to even consider. If, for example, you have separated from your spouse and each are dating (even if it is an arrangement to which you both have verbally agreed), posting pictures of anyone you are dating can be used against you in court. It could be wise to refrain from posting any pictures of yourself out on the town on public social media accounts during divorce proceedings, as they could be construed as cheating. Again, this is advisable even if the arrangement has been verbally agreed upon.
This is also true in the case of anger online: If you say (or write) something out of anger on the other person’s account, it could, especially in nasty divorces, be construed in a court of law as a threat. In turn, doing so could mean that you run the risk of losing parenting time or other familial assets.
We Can Help
As you approach your divorce, it is important to develop a reasonable strategy for social media use that will help your case along the way. While you may not need to give up Facebook or Instagram altogether, you need to understand how your case could affected. Contact an experienced Geneva family law attorney for assistance today. Call 630-232-9700 to schedule your introductory consultation at The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-helfend-meyer/6-things-to-do-before-filing-for-divorce_b_9117728.html?utm_hp_ref=divorce&ir=Divorce
http://galtime.com/story/divorcing-5-reasons-to-take-a-social-media-hiatus/
http://www.mensfitness.com/women/dating-advice/divorce-mistakes-that-will-ruin-your-life
