How social media can ruin your divorce case

With a new culture built on sharing, many of us are accustomed to sharing our lives on various social media platforms that encourage us to write about our day-to-day activities or feelings, post pictures of our vacations and meals, or flaunt the successes of our lives. These platforms help us feel connected to one another in ways that were previously unavailable. However, though this might serve as a fun pastime, it can also harm you if you are in the midst of a divorce case. You might think your privacy settings keep your information protected, but nothing on the internet is ever truly private. If you are going through a divorce, anything you choose to post on social media might result in potentially severe consequences. Here are some ways in which your use of Facebook, Twitter, or other social media platforms might negatively affect your divorce case:

1. Clues to Hidden Assets: In all likelihood, you are no longer friends with your soon-to-be ex-spouse on social media, but that does not mean you do not share any mutual friends. In fact, you might have several friends in common, some of whom might feel a sense of greater loyalty toward one party or the other. One of these mutual friends might decide to provide the information you share on social media with your ex-spouse. If you made a lavish purchase or spent the weekend with your new girlfriend while on an exotic vacation, but have also claimed that you cannot afford child support, those posts can be used against you to prove otherwise.
2. Emails and Texts: Your emails, posts, and texts can all be used as evidence and might come back to haunt you in court. If a spouse lies about financial documents, this is a crime. Online activity often provides a revealing trail of evidence that can prove the contrary of any lie a spouse tells in court.
3. Avoid Dating Sites: You might be ready to date, but you should still stay off dating sites if you are in the process of getting divorced. People often present a different image on dating sites than they do in real life and such discrepancies can create problems in your case.
4. Child Custody: Social media platforms like Facebook allow you to tag others in photographs. If you were photographed participating in reckless or irresponsible behavior at a time when you should have been caring for your children, and the photo appears on social media, it might lead a judge to question your fitness as a parent.

Prevent the Negative Impact of Social Media

If you are in the middle of a divorce, especially a particularly contentious one, the best advice anyone can offer you is to cease your use of social media in order to avoid any of the aforementioned mistakes. It might be difficult, but the alternative can result in life-changing consequences. However, you should not delete your accounts once litigation has begun, or it might appear as though you are attempting to get rid of evidence. If you simply cannot refrain from using social media, at least be mindful of what you post. Ask yourself if you would want a judge to see it and, when in doubt, do not share.

Dedicated Jackson Divorce Attorneys Serving the Tri-County Area

Divorce is an emotionally taxing experience, even in the most amicable circumstances. To effectively get through this undoubtedly difficult time in your life, you will need the skilled and compassionate legal assistance that can only be provided by an experienced attorney. At Shows & Smith Law Firm PLLC, you can trust that you will always have someone at your side. Our Jackson divorce lawyers have more than 70 years of combined experience and our legal excellence has been recognized on numerous occasions. We understand the delicate nature of divorce cases, which is why we take pride in putting our clients first without jeopardizing integrity. As our client, you can expect to receive trustworthy and dependable advocacy, personalized representation, step-by-step guidance, and an honest approach that provides realistic outcomes. Our commitment goes well beyond answering your calls and responding to emails. We are here to ensure the best possible results for your case and ease your doubts and worries throughout the process. Put our 70 years of combined legal experience to work for you today and give us a call at (601) 664-0044 for a free and confidential consultation with one of our Jackson divorce lawyers.