Social media feels like a natural part of modern life, but using it during a divorce can lead to serious negative outcomes. You might feel tempted to vent frustrations or post updates about your personal life, but doing so can have significant consequences in a divorce case.
It is important to understand exactly how social media activity can impact various aspects of your divorce.
Loss of assets
Your social media posts can affect decisions about property division and spousal support. If you post about lavish vacations, expensive purchases or extravagant outings, this may raise questions about your financial situation. In a divorce, the court will carefully examine each spouse’s assets and financial behavior. Posts suggesting hidden income or mismanagement of funds can hurt your chances of a fair settlement.
Child custody complications
Courts will always prioritize the well-being of children. That is why a parent’s questionable online behavior can influence custody decisions. Inappropriate content, such as posts involving alcohol or risky behavior, may suggest an inability to provide a stable environment for children. Additionally, courts may view negative comments about the other parent as an attempt to damage that parent’s relationship with the children. This type of behavior can harm your case and lead to unfavorable custody outcomes.
Privacy concerns
Many people think that they can set their social media accounts to private. In reality, though, any information posted online can become accessible to others. Posts, photos and messages can become evidence during the divorce. This includes content that you deleted, as it can sometimes still be retrievable.
Statistics indicate that Facebook becomes a factor in one in five divorces. To avoid the problems that these social media platforms can cause in a divorce, you must exercise caution and be mindful of the potential consequences when you post.