Nowadays, many people have a tendency to go to their Facebook or Twitter profiles immediately after something happens and rant and rave about it. We could get into the fact that many people do this without thinking — without truly considering the consequences of what they type and post in such a public space — but let’s try to keep this story focused on how social media can impact a divorce or the people involved in that divorce.
Social media is clearly a very powerful tool in today’s world. When it comes to divorce, this power can lead people down a very unfortunate path that drastically affects the outcome of their divorce.
For example, posting inflammatory comments on Facebook about your ex-wife or ex-husband (or soon-to-be-ex) can have legal repercussions. Depending on the post and the case, the posting spouse could lose privileges, such as child custody, visitation time, or even certain assets.
Beyond just what you post in relation to your ex, your social media data can be used against you in divorce court. Facebook and Twitter accounts are increasingly being referenced in divorce cases, and the data contained on these accounts can be crucial. They can uncover private messages or critical information that lead to the recovery of hidden assets or the reveal of an affair. Photos and event tags can also establish a timeline of events for a certain individual, which could prove very useful during a divorce.
Ultimately, the point is clear: be very careful with your social media accounts in general. But if a divorce is going on, be especially careful with your accounts.
Source: Forbes, “How Social Media Can Affect Your Divorce,” Jeff Landers, Aug. 20, 2013
