Using social media and posting about major life events has become a daily habit for many people. However, divorcing spouses may want to fight that urge. During a divorce, it’s essential to be careful when using social media sites, as anything posted online can jeopardize your case and could potentially be used against you in the divorce litigation.
Steps to take during the divorce
Once the divorce process has officially begun, many people will immediately want to distance themselves from their ex on social media. To accomplish this people can:
- Remove their ex from all accounts
- Set their accounts to private
- Limit who can follow their account
- Restrict who can leave comments
By setting social media accounts to private and removing your ex, you can ensure that your posts are hidden from unwanted eyes. Additionally, limiting who can follow your account deprives your ex of the ability to keep tabs on you. Lastly, restricting who can comment on your posts will make sure that your ex, their family and their friends don’t post unwanted comments on your social media accounts.
What to do after the divorce
Many people may believe that they can revert back to their old social media habits once the divorce has been finalized. For parents, however, this may not be the best idea. Anything posted online after the divorce carries the risk of being used against you, just like anything posted during the divorce.
For example, an attorney can request to modify a custody schedule if a divorced parent constantly posts about partying. Additionally, sharing news about a raise or promotion could lead to an increase in child support payments.
Completely abstaining from social media use may not be possible for everyone. But it’s imperative that people take extra precautions to protect themselves during and after the divorce. Reaching out to an experienced family law attorney can help you understand the total impact social media can have on divorce.