Could Social Media Harm Your Divorce Case?

 Posted on March 17, 2017 in Divorce

When you are in the midst of a divorce, you have likely spent weeks and months working with your attorney to build a case designed to get you the favorable outcome you desire. While the definition of a “favorable outcome” may vary from person to person, there is at least one universal reality that applies to every divorce case. Things that you say and do in a public forum could eventually make their way into the courtroom and have the potential to undermine your case. This is especially true for posts you make on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Nothing Is Truly Private

If you want to keep something private, do not post it on social media, period. There is always a chance that it will be seen by someone who may have an interest in damaging your divorce case. Sure, Facebook and other social media outlets have privacy settings that are meant to give you control over who can see your posts, but these controls only go so far.

Consider an all-too-common scenario: when you and your spouse separated, you “unfriended” him or her on social media and adjusted your privacy settings so that he or she could no longer see your posts or updates. But, what about your spouse’s brother or cousin with whom you have a friendly relationship? Did you remember to block every one of your mutual acquaintances too? All it takes is for one of them to tell your spouse about a particular post or to take a screenshot and your post could end up in the hands of your spouse and his or her attorney.

Context Is Vital

Presuming a particular post does make its way to your spouse, how could that be harmful? The answer depends on the content of the post in question. For example, if you post a picture of your children playing happily on a playground, there is little harm that could come from such an image. But, if the picture was taken on a day that they should have been in school, your spouse could try to claim that you were being negligent to their academic needs. Likewise, a picture of you out with friends for a few drinks could be manipulated to make it seem as though you have a problem with alcohol. Neither of these allegations may be true, but without context, virtually anything could be used in an attempt to diminish your credibility in a divorce proceeding.

Seek Legal Guidance

Social media sites have allowed people to connect like never before, but they also have presented new dangers. If you are considering a divorce and would like to learn more about developing a strategy for social media that will protect your interests, contact an experienced Naperville divorce attorney today. Call 630-352-2240 for a free consultation at Pesce Law Group, P.C.

Source:

https://goodmenproject.com/divorce/dont-commit-social-media-suicide-during-your-divorce-dg/