It’s no secret that social media has taken over our culture and is woven throughout our public and private lives, and for this reason you may feel the need to ask a divorce lawyer what your Facebook activity could mean for your divorce proceedings. Could your posts, pictures and activity on Facebook and other social media platforms actually work against you in your divorce?
The truth is that your behaviors on social media, including on Facebook, can and likely will play a role in what takes place during your divorce. Your activity can be problematic in court and can negatively impact divorce settlement negotiations. Once you have this piece of knowledge, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and put your best face forward through your social media profiles.
Ask a Divorce Lawyer Can They Really Use That in Court?
- Going out for drinks at the local bar.
- Snapping pics with friends of the opposite sex.
- Going on a lavish weekend vacation.
Divorce attorneys can use these activities shared on Facebook to make a stronger case for your former spouse. Whether it is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat or any other networking forum or smartphone app, it is important to be extremely mindful of photos or information that could be used against you. Keep in mind, even if you have “unfriended,” “unfollowed” or blocked your former spouse from your social media accounts, he may have friends and family members who can still view what you share, and those people can easily report back to him.
Also, it is important to understand how social media works. Certain posts or messages you think are private may not be private at all. Now is the time to use caution on Facebook and other online forums. Ask any friends who might share information or tag pictures of you to stop. Or, ask them to get your permission before they share. Just know you cannot be too careful when it comes to something as important as your divorce settlement negotiations.
What Can Come Back to Haunt You in Court?
Text messages, online posts, photos and e-mails can serve as evidence in court. Most family law attorneys advise clients not to put anything in writing online, in an e-mail or even in text messages that they wouldn’t want the judge to read. The court can deem anything admissible evidence. The court can even subpoena routine forms of communication.
With all of this in mind, it is important to create some healthy, safe boundaries for social media use. You can even go back to delete posts or photos that could be incriminating. Also change your privacy settings so only trusted friends can see what you share. Even better is to keep your Facebook activity to a minimum during this time.
If you want to ask a divorce lawyer some questions regarding your Facebook and other social media accounts, call (770) 475-2521 for a complimentary, confidential consultation with our family law attorneys in Alpharetta today.
