Risks Social Media Poses To Your Divorce

 Posted on November 30, 2023 in Divorce

Social media is paramount to many people’s lives in the digital age. It helps you stay connected to family and friends, allows you to network with colleagues and peers, and offers a place to post silly images of cats wearing bread helmets. However, during a divorce, social media can work against you if you are not careful. A knowledgeable attorney can provide all the necessary information to help guide you through your situation.

Social Media Can Be a Disruptive Force

Posting the wrong thing at the wrong time can have legal consequences. Boasting about purchasing something expensive or displaying images of you partying and drinking could lead to financial issues and impact your future relationship with your children.

Your Spouse Can Use Social Media Posts Against You

Your spouse’s attorney can use social media to their advantage by digging up older images or posts as evidence of being an unfit parent or just to make you appear in a less favorable light. Social media can also cause problems already apparent in the marriage much worse. Issues of jealousy, abuse, or mistrust can be pulled from images to point the finger at you.

An opposing attorney may use posts as evidence to try and prove:

• You make more than you claim
• Neglectful parenting
• You are abusive or have an abusive personality
• You are or have committed adultery or infidelity

What To Avoid Posting On Social Media

During a divorce, avoiding or deactivating your social media accounts might be better during the proceedings. However, should you choose to continue using social media for whatever reason, it is important to remain cautious about what you post and what others post about you.

Under no circumstances should you post:

• Badmouthing your spouse or discussing your divorce openly
• Change your relationship status while the divorce is ongoing
• Post anything related to finances or purchases that could make you seem like you have more money than you actually do
• Post photos of reckless behavior or photos that could be misconstrued as reckless behavior
• Showing images with a new romantic partner

Individuals who continue using social media should also change their privacy settings to prohibit certain parties from seeing their posts. Do not accept friend requests from anyone you do not know or who may have a relationship with your spouse. Changing your passwords and security questions may be wise to ensure that only you have access to your accounts.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Divorce Attorney

Social media is a great way to keep in contact with the family, but it can devastate your divorce trial. Practice caution in its use and employ an experienced Wheaton, IL divorce lawyer to handle your trial. The Davi Law Group can help you keep things contained throughout the trial until a divorce is officially finalized. Contact our law firm at 630-657-5052 for a free consultation to discuss your legal matters.