Avoiding Social Media Disasters in Divorce and Custody Matters

Social media continues to become increasingly prevalent in nearly every aspect of our society. Almost everyone today has smart phones capable of posting pictures and content in a matter of seconds. Whether you’re using SnapChat, Facebook, Instagram, etc. it is incredibly important to think carefully about what you post on social media sites. Far too many have learned the hard way that once something is posted online, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of it. Social media preserves content like no other form of media. When matters of family law are at stake, you need to be extremely cautious on social media sites in order to protect yourself.

Consider the following situations:

1) If you post a photo on Facebook that suggests you have assets that you did not disclose as part of your divorce proceedings, this can easily be brought up by your former spouse at trial.

2) In a child custody case, if you are posting photographs of yourself that depict you engaging in certain unethical behaviors (drugs, alcohol or otherwise), the other parent may be likely to use these photographs as evidence of your unfitness for child custody. These photos can suggest that you make certain lifestyle choices that may not be in the best interest of the child.

Computer software is so sophisticated that a party can use photos you have previously posted to determine when and where a picture was taken, making it potentially damaging to your case. Always assume that your social media history can be discovered and before you post, consider the kind of image you are presenting of yourself.

Be sure to be as forthcoming as possible with your attorney when discussing your social media history!