Having a good day or having a bad day, sometimes nothing feels better than an approving comment or like after posting a rant on your Facebook or other social media page. It tells you others know how you are feeling and support you on your trying days or cheer you on when you are having success. However, there are some things you should not share on social media no matter how badly you need the support.
Your divorce, for example, is likely to leave you with some dark days and some extreme emotions. It might seem natural to let those feelings out in a passionate post or share some pictures of your efforts to cope, but many family law experts warn that taking these steps could be detrimental to your divorce, your bid for spousal support and even your child custody case.
You are what you post
You may not have to avoid Facebook, Instagram or TikTok altogether during your divorce, but you will want to be more careful about what you post. Your spouse’s attorney may misinterpret even the most innocent posts or take photos of you out of context, painting you in an unfavorable light. Social media and other digital information are a common form of evidence in family law cases these days, and many have faced negative consequences for the following social media mistakes:
- Posting pictures of lavish purchases indicating you do not need spousal support
- Sharing details about a new romance before your divorce is final if your spouse can prove you used marital assets to fund the affair
- Badmouthing your ex’s parenting skills, which the court may interpret as your unwillingness to cooperate in a co-parenting plan
- Complaining about the judge overseeing your case, since there is always the chance the judge may see your posts
- Believing your privacy settings on your social media pages will protect your posts from becoming public
- Posting pictures or comments about any activity that would suggest you are an unfit parent, such as drinking, using illegal drugs or being unable to control your emotions
Before you go deleting all your social media accounts or removing questionable posts, you should know that a family court may see this as destroying evidence. Instead, it might be wise to take a break or even suspend your account temporarily until your divorce issues are settled. For the time being, you will want to lay low, follow your attorney’s advice, and avoid any activities or people who may jeopardize the positive outcome of your divorce.