Social media is a part of almost everyone’s life in today’s society. You can use it to stay in touch with friends and family and even find support in groups on social media networks. It may be tempting to vent about what’s going on to your social media “friends” during your divorce. And although it can be helpful at the time to vent, doing it online can be disastrous to your case.
It’s important to remember that anything you write online can be used against you in court. To avoid any potential hazards in court, review the following ten tips to ensure that your online activity doesn’t catch up with you during your divorce.
#1. Change Your Passwords
If your spouse has access to your email, knows your passwords, or even if you have your passwords saved on your device so that you don’t have to enter them each time, it’s vital to change your password immediately. This goes for all passwords, not only for your social media accounts.
#2. Stop Using Social Media
Yes, this tip is really to stop using your social media accounts. Think of it this way. If you don’t post anything, there is nothing to use against you in court.
#3. Don’t Delete Your Profiles
You shouldn’t, however, delete your account or any content on your profile, especially if you are currently in or are anticipating litigation. Doing so could be illegal and appear as if you were trying to destroy evidence.
#4. Be Careful of What You Post
If you choose to continue using your social media accounts, be sure that you don’t post anything negative about your soon-to-be-ex. You should monitor your family as well to make sure they aren’t making any disparaging statements about your spouse. Think about how your children would feel if they saw that you or their family wrote negative things about their other parent.
You should also avoid posting anything illegal or considered immoral. Anything you post can be used against you, and these types of posts could have serious consequences for you when it comes to your children and what the courts see is in their best interest.
#5. Change Your Privacy Settings
You should change your privacy settings to the highest security possible. Although you may be in a “private” group, other group members can see your posts and could provide these posts to your spouse. “Private” messages are discoverable just as text messages are, so, to be safe, assume that nothing you say online is private.
#6. Be Careful of the Posts You Are Tagged In
Just because you aren’t posting things on social media doesn’t mean your friends and family aren’t. And when they do, there’s a chance they may tag you on a post or in a picture.
Here’s an example of how this could affect your divorce. You are at a party with friends, and there is drinking and marijuana use taking place. Your friend takes a picture with you, posts it online, and tags you in it. Your ex or someone they know sees those photos. They can then use those photographs against you in court. And if children are involved in your divorce, this could lead the courts to see you as an unfit parent.
#7. Don’t Discuss Your Case Online
Avoid saying anything negative about your spouse, their legal team, and especially the judge on your case. If you believe someone has done something wrong, consult your attorney and avoid talking about it online.
#8. Find Out What’s Already Out There About You
It’s important to know what’s already online about you. Perform a Google search with your name in quotes. Search your name using your middle name and without it.
#9. Monitor Your Children’s Social Media Accounts
You can be held liable for the actions of your children online. So make sure you are monitoring what they are posting.
#10. Avoid Using Social Media at Work
Any computer or device you use at work is likely to be monitored. You should use your personal devices when you are using social media. You should also use your personal device to email your attorney.
Let Hunter Fowler Help You Get Through Your Divorce
Not only should you be cautious on social media networks, but you should also use caution on devices that can store information. A laptop, cellphone, tablet, and even internet searches can be used as evidence. Always think twice before posting anything online while your divorce is in process.
If you have any other questions about what you should or shouldn’t do during the divorce process, turn to Attorney Hunter Fowler. Hunter will walk you through all of the steps of the divorce process and win the best possible outcome for you.
Contact Hunter Fowler today to schedule a consultation.