You know the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words?” In divorce, we say a picture can be worth thousands of dollars. And it’s not just pictures. Anything you post on social media can impact your divorce before, during, and even after the process. You need to be extremely careful.
When you understand how posts on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms can affect the terms of your divorce, you can save yourself considerable heartache, and possibly some money as well.
Social Media Posts are Evidence
Posting your feelings and experiences on social media can connect you with empathetic friends in a moment. You can get feedback with the support you need so desperately during these challenging times.
But you need to remember that your posts are not a private communication between friends. You are posting pictures, statements, and questions on a public billboard for everyone to see and record. What you post can be used as evidence, and often that evidence can look misleadingly unfavorable.
Problems Caused by Social Media
A social media post can trigger a host of problems. For example:
- A photo of a dinner out with friends can be used to show that you party on school nights and are not responsible enough to have custody of your child;
- A description of a purchase or a trip could be used to indicate that you are wasting or trying to hide marital assets;
- A complaint about a spouse could be used as evidence that you are alienating your children;
- A picture of a potential love interest could be used to show that you are responsible for breaking up the marriage;
- Any mention of financial issues could be used against you in decisions regarding alimony, property division, or debt allocation.
On the flip side, there are no social media posts that will help your cause when it comes to divorce. Silence and absence on social media can only make you appear mature and focused.
How to Protect Yourself
So what do you do if it’s too late and you’ve already poured out your heart on social media? There are some steps you can take for damage control. Inventory your posts and preserve them, along with the posts that put the conversations into perspective. Collect evidence from friends and family to help explain the posts. If your former partner tries to introduce words or pictures out of context, you will be able to point to the truth.
It is best to avoid social media from this point forward, or at the very least, turn your settings private so that an attorney cannot start investigating your accounts. However, do not delete any posts or pictures. Doing so could be considered destruction of evidence and could hurt you in court.
Protect Yourself by Working with an Experienced Legal Advocate
Divorce proceedings are complex emotionally and financially, and numerous factors can affect the outcome. The best way to protect the full range of your interests is to work with an experienced divorce attorney who is willing to take the time to educate you on the issues and develop a personalized strategy to reach your goals.
At Koiles Pratt Family Law Group, we work closely with you to ensure that you understand your options and the potential impact of your choices at every step in the process. We know how to benefit from opportunities and overcome obstacles to position you to move forward after your divorce. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more about the ways we can assist.