You may be tempted to use your social media as a means of updating your loved ones as you undergo your divorce proceedings. However, this would be a great mistake. To learn why that is, read on and see how a seasoned Somerset County divorce attorney at Siragusa Law Firm can give better advice.
Can posting on social media hurt my divorce proceedings?
Anything you post on your social media can be easily accessed by the public. With that said, your posts are readily available to your spouse and used against you in the presence of the New Jersey divorce court. Even if your spouse’s arguments are false, they still may be able to paint you in a negative light during your settlement agreement proceedings.
For one, if you post about your vacations or any big purchases on your social media accounts, your spouse can claim that you are financially independent, and therefore, you do not need child support and/or alimony.
Another example is if you post about your partying or drinking with your friends. With this, your spouse can claim that you have poor judgment and/or are parentally unfit, and therefore, you do not have the right to receive even just partial custody of your child.
And lastly, if you post about your new romantic partner, your spouse can cite adultery as fault grounds for your divorce. The New Jersey divorce court will, thus, view you as the cause of the dissemination of your marriage and may be less favorable toward you when making their decisions.
What social media advice should I follow during my divorce proceedings?
Firstly, you must understand that your private messages and deleted posts can still be retrieved by your spouse’s attorney and used against you in the presence of the New Jersey divorce court. Deleting your posts can be seen as an inference of guilt.
With that said, the following is a comprehensive list of social media dos and don’ts to also follow during your divorce proceedings:
- Dos:
- Set all of your social media accounts to private and do not accept any new friends or followers.
- Ask your friends and family to refrain from posting you, posting about you, tagging you, etc.
- Avoid posting on your social media or sending private messages altogether.
- Don’ts:
- Speak badly about your spouse on your social media (i.e., false comments, threats, criticisms, etc).
- Post about your vacations and/or big purchases.
- Post about your alcohol and/or drug use.
- Post your location (i.e., at a bar, club, casino, etc).
- Post about your new romantic relationships.
- Believe that deleting posts and private messages will protect you.
If you require assistance with managing your social media during this time, it is in your best interest to hire one of the competent Somerset County divorce & family law attorneys as immediately as possible.
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If you need legal representation for a matter of Family Law, Supplemental Security Income, Medical Malpractice, Social Security Disability, or Legal Malpractice, contact Siragusa Law Firm today.
