7 Social Media Habits to Avoid During Your Divorce

Hossein Berenji, Sep 26, 2019

For better or worse. In sickness and health. For richer or poorer, In good times and bad times. Social media is always there reminding everyone of both good and bad days.

There are many advantages to social media. It offers a chronological glimpse of our lives and is a way to stay in contact with friends and family, some life events are better left offline.

Divorce is always a challenging time, and emotions can run high. During this season of divorce in your life, social media should never become an outlet for your frustration.

The National Law Review states that 81% of divorce attorneys found incriminating evidence on social media that was later presented as evidence in court during a divorce proceeding. Posting about your divorce is unproductive emotionally. Plus, those Facebook posts, Instagram comments, and Twitter tweets can also negatively affect your case. Here are some social media habits to avoid during your divorce process.

Announcing Your Divorce

Announcing your pending divorce on social media may seem innocent enough. This announcement prior to the finalization of your divorce can negatively impact your spouse and your children. Depending on the manner in which it is announced, parties could feel angry or upset and arguments on social media could begin.

It is better to wait until the divorce is finalized to then make a short non-emotional comment regarding your current status.

Outbursts

Your divorce is a private, legal proceeding. Ranting about your spouse, the court system, or attorneys involved may damage your case. These posts, messages, and comments are all permanent. Even if you attempt to delete them, one screenshot of a horrific and combative negative exchange can hurt your case.

Don’t let your momentary frustration change the trajectory of your case in front of the judge. Be mature and mindful of what you post on any social media platform. The best practice is never to comment on anything regarding your divorce, either on your social media account, or anyone else’s.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Social media can present a reality that is far from the truth. Even if you have not cheated on your spouse, images on social media can raise suspicions if you are pictured next to someone that your spouse believes you have been unfaithful with.

Be careful that your social media account, and those of your friends, do not link you with anyone you should not be linked with, or in places that you should not frequent. Images of you drinking excessively can negatively affect your divorce proceeding.

Shopping Sprees or Vacations Could Become Evidence

Under any other circumstances, a day of shopping or a lavish vacation is a fun activity to share on social media. In a divorce proceeding, a social media post regarding a shopping spree or your last vacation can be evidence regarding your finances.

In a heated property battle, financial status can be critical to your case. Posting evidence of lax spending habits or that you have more money than you claim can have the appearance of impropriety even if you have been truthful about your financial situation to the court. Show discretion with respect to how you spend your money on social media until after the divorce.

Be Careful of Your Friends Accounts

Social media encompasses not only your account but that of your friends. If you are out drinking late instead of watching your children or are photographed in one place when you claimed to be in another, these images on your friends’ accounts can become incriminating evidence against you in your divorce proceeding.

Ask friends and family to avoid posting pictures or commenting on your status or life during the divorce process.

Deleting Social Media Accounts or Posts

Never delete any of your social media accounts, posts, conversations, messages or comments while in the process of a divorce. If you have made comments or posts on social media with respect to your marriage, divorce, or children that you are uncomfortable with, you should never delete these posts or messages.

Anything you post is technically permanent. While they are possibly cringe-worthy and may even be used against you by a judge, if you delete them, they can be considered by the court to be destroyed evidence, which is illegal. The evidence can likely be found, or your spouse could have taken a screenshot of the message or post before it was destroyed.

Therefore, attempting to destroy evidence can be discovered in your divorce, and can have devastating consequences. The best practice is to be mindful of the posts, messages, and comments you write on any social media account.

Disable GPS or Location Access in Your Social Media Apps

If you fear for your safety or the safety of your children, it is important to disable the GPS or location access in your social media apps. If you fear that your spouse may harm you in any way, attempt to keep your privacy as guarded as possible.

If you don’t know how to disable GPS on your phone, visit a service provider or store that specializes in electronic devices to help you. Obviously, contact the authorities if you ever feel your safety is threatened.

The best advice is to your life during the divorce process as you are being watched and monitored on social media. Avoid negative or confrontational discussions or posting anything at all about your divorce. Never share any legal information on social media or with anyone except your San Diego divorce attorney.