Social Media and Your Divorce

 Posted on November 21, 2016 in Divorce

Are you the type of person who is quick to share photos and experiences with your friends and followers on Facebook or Instagram? Social media networks like these can certainly be fun and help keep distant family members up to date with each other’s lives. When you are in the midst of a divorce, however, social media can be an unexpected source of danger. It is important to keep a few things in mind if you intend to stay on social media as your marriage is coming to an end.

Image Can Be Everything

Part of the reason that social media sites are so attractive for users is that they allow a person to present a carefully managed version of themselves to their friends and followers. Very few users post embarrassing photos or stories about themselves; instead, they focus on the high points. The problem with social media as it relates to divorce, however, is the lack of context.

Consider, for example, a very realistic scenario: for the last two years, you and your best friend have been putting a few dollars aside every week so that you could take a vacation together. You found amazing deals on travel and hotels, managing to book the trip of a lifetime for a very reasonable price. In the weeks before your flight leaves, your spouse files for a divorce, and, in your response, you ask the court to consider awarding you spousal maintenance payments. You decide to take the trip as planned, and you and your friend post several photos of each other sipping tropical drinks on a Caribbean beach. In reality, the trip meant very little in terms of your overall financial situation, but without context, your spouse could point to your social media posts as an indication that you are not struggling for money and that maintenance is not necessary.

Assume the Court Will See Your Posts

While social media sites are often equipped with privacy features, you should never assume that your posts will be hidden from your soon-to-be ex-spouse. You may have friends in common that you forgot about or an acquaintance with whom your spouse has a better relationship. During a divorce, your best course of action is to presume that anything you post—pictures, comments, plans, etc.—could eventually find their way into the courtroom. Be wary of sharing anything that could be misinterpreted or that you may need to explain later, as the damage could be done long before you get the chance.

Call Us for Help

The experienced Kane County divorce attorneys at Goostree Law Group understand the challenges of managing your social media accounts during your divorce. We can help you develop a social media strategy that allows you to express yourself without compromising the divorce process. Call 630-584-4800 for a free consultation today.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-morrow/a-look-at-how-social-medi_b_10633940.html