Many of us enjoy logging into various social media platforms and sharing our lives with friends, family, co-workers, and even acquaintances we might have only met a handful of times. From Facebook and Twitter to more photo-driven platforms like Instagram, there are a plethora of ways to share your life with others.
For most, oversharing will likely not cause too many problems, but if you are in the middle of a divorce, you could be providing some very helpful evidence for your soon-to-be former spouse that can ultimately derail your case. How can something as seemingly innocuous as social media wreck so much damage?
Below are some ways in which social media can harm your divorce case:
- The pictures a person shares on social media often say a lot about who they are and their lifestyle. Why is this harmful? For example, if you are vying for custody of your children and post pictures of yourself engaging in reckless or inappropriate behavior, this will undoubtedly factor into a judge's opinion regarding your fitness as a parent. Even pictures that could be interpreted as less than stellar behavior can compromise your chances of obtaining the custody or visitation rights you are pursuing.
- Social media is also quite revealing when it comes to a person's spending habits and financial means. Of course, no one is sharing detailed posts documenting their annual salary or expenses, but social media posts can still provide a lot of indicators regarding one's financial status. For example, if you write about how you recently treated yourself to something luxurious or extravagant, but claim that you cannot make higher spousal support payments, a judge might think you are being dishonest. Furthermore, your posts might also suggest you are hiding assets.
- When spouses divorce, this can often leave their friends in a predicament where they feel it is necessary to choose sides and decide which party they will be loyal to. While one might be quick to unadd an ex-spouse from social media, it can be rather difficult to know who to unadd when it comes to mutual friends, which can ultimately cause problems. For example, if you reveal secrets on social media to your so-called friends, one of them might spill the beans to your ex and give him or her the ammunition necessary to swing a divorce settlement out of your favor.
- Friends and family could also unintentionally cause harm to divorcing spouses. For example, if your friends tag photos or tag you in a post that could possibly harm your case, your divorce case could be in jeopardy. Ask your friends and family not to tag you in any posts or pictures during this time. They should also refrain from making any comments or posts regarding your divorce.
- Keep in mind that once something is posted, even if you delete it, it is out there forever, so always think twice before you share something online. Nothing you have to share on social media is worth more than what you stand to lose in your divorce case.
Divorce Lawyer in Nassau County
Going through a divorce is not an easy experience and, in fact, it is often quite complicated. To ensure you do not make any unnecessary mistakes throughout the process, turn to the divorce legal team at Jason M. Barbara & Associates, P.C. in Nassau County to ensure your interests are well protected. Backed by 20 years of experience, you can be confident in our ability to represent you during this difficult time.
Secure the presentation you deserve and contact our office at (516) 406-8381 to schedule your free initial consultation.