There are a few valuable things to keep in mind if you are using social media during divorce. In almost all cases, the cardinal rule is that you cannot let what you say on social media be turned against you, harming your interests in the process.
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind for your social media usage when a divorce is ongoing:
Your Soon-to-Be Ex-Spouse Can See What You Write
Expect that any digital information you author or post will likely be viewed by your soon-to-be ex and possibly used against you. This includes information on your Facebook page, Instagram posts, your tweets, LinkedIn, and even dating sites.
Think Before You Post
The best advice you can receive regarding social media is to think before you post. This is true whether you are going through a divorce or not, but it is especially applicable during a divorce. Here are some questions to consider:
- Ask yourself if it is prudent to comment on your divorce or soon-to-be ex.
- Should you post pictures of yourself out on the town on one of your custody nights?
- Is it wise to show yourself on a trip out of town when you claim your spouse is not paying you enough to support yourself?
- Is it prudent to tout the financial success of your company on your website when you claim revenues are down?
- Is it prudent to talk about the “long walks” you would like to enjoy on a date while claiming you are physically unable to work and need support?
In short, ask yourself if what you post on social media can hurt you in a divorce. If it can, don’t even think about posting it for online eyes to see. These are just a few examples of the type of information that can come back to haunt you. Finally, caution your friends to be mindful about what they say about you or to you on social media.
Contact us at Hallier Stearns PLC if you have any questions about how to carefully proceed in your divorce while maintaining a social media presence.