If You Are Planning To Divorce, Social Media Is Not Your Friend

If you are thinking about getting divorced, you may want to be mindful of social media posts going forward. It may even be a good idea to deactivate social media accounts that are not related to your business or employment. Some platforms may make it easy to locate and remove or change privacy settings on certain posts. However, anything that is posted on social media can likely be retrieved if requested by law enforcement or the justice system. This is why it ideal to make sure that you are aware of your actions and posts because they could be used in a divorce hearing and result in less than favorable results for you. It is also possible to use social media to prove relevant points in your case about your estranged spouse. The following points identify some ways that careless or seemingly harmless posts can impact divorce cases.

Finance-related Posts

Some individuals make social media posts to showcase or create the illusion of a grandiose lifestyle. Divorces often involve the division of assets. Sometimes spousal and child support payments are also at the crux of divorces. It is possible for some individuals to attempt to manipulate the system and hide assets or financial accounts. They may advise the courts that they do not have the money to make payments or will need to survive on a modest income. However, if posts showing large amounts of cash, expensive vehicles, luxury vacation and dining, and other things that contradict financial woes, a judge might be willing to consider the posts as having evidentiary value. Posts related to check-ins and vacations should be cautioned. 

Negative Behavior and Controversial Behavior

Certain behaviors are not illegal, but they might be scrutinized in a divorce case involving custody disputes. Attending certain adult functions and businesses and participating in high-risk activities could be brought up and make it questionable whether a parent could provide the best environment for minor children. It should be sensible not to record illegal activities and post them on social media because of potential criminal charges. However, some individuals may do this and not realize the effects it could have on a divorce case involving custody or support. 

Flaunting New Relationships

Life goes on after a divorce. However, introducing new romantic interests by means of social media can cost the spouse who chooses to do this. Some states have laws that consider this as adultery, and it could result in a request for spousal support being granted. 

A divorce lawyer is a good resource to learn other ways to protect yourself during a divorce. There might be online and offline activities that you need to be mindful of. If there are things that your estranged spouse is doing before the divorce is finalized that you want to be brought to the attention of the court, a divorce lawyer, like the Law Offices of Heidi A. Gifford, can petition the court with evidence.

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