Avoid Social Media mistakes and help your Divorce Process
Divorce does not carry the same taboo it did in previous years. Two people go into a marriage expecting it to work. Due to a variety of reasons – money, trust, commitment – the marriage comes to an end. Women especially faced strong pressure to make a failing marriage work. Divorce was stigmatized and could lead to gossip and scandal from family and friends.
Although nowadays the same stigma does not arise as often, there is something else to be mindful of now – your online presence. Social media has caused many of our everyday interactions to be seen online, meaning a larger group of people get to read, view, and hear your posts. Taking your dog on a walk, cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays and weddings. No matter how big or small the event we’ve found ways to post about it online. Unfortunately, divorce is not excluded.
Social media and divorce. It’s a topic not everyone considers. Social media is everywhere. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat. Most people are on these platforms and they’re posting so many different things on it. Some people are using it wisely and some people are not. Social media is not your diary and it’s not your friend. It’s not where you get on and talk ugly about the other parent. It’s definitely not where you talk about how much fun you had last night when you went out and got drunk and left the kids at home alone. Even if you mark your post as private or friends only, a good private investigator can hunt through and find those posts and the other side can very well use it against you in a court proceeding.
Something we forget about is how a post, picture, tweet, or status update might affect us down the road. We recommend being extra careful about this when you’re going through any stage of the divorce process. Keep reading this guide to find out how to manage your social media use and keep your divorce as drama-free.
What not to do online while going through divorce
Let’s start with what you should avoid online while going through divorce. Some of these might sound obvious but it’s good to go over them either way. What you want to avoid is tricky situations with your ex both in real life, in court, and online. The best way to avoid any drama in any of these areas is to stay level-headed and think ahead. And remember, whatever you say online can (and probably will) be used against you in court!
1. Ignore Your Ex
So you’ve decided to file for divorce. This might have been coming for a long time but that doesn’t mean there’s not tension in the air. What’s the best way to deal with this from an online perspective? Well, by ignoring your ex! Constantly seeing pictures or posts of your ex online might cause jealousy, anger, discontentment, or worse… cause a fight. It’s best to mute, block, unfollow, whatever accounts you have of them. Extra tip: don’t forget to change your passwords. You don’t want them snooping in on you without you knowing.
2. DON’T post the wrong things
Divorce brings stress. This is not news to anyone. Divorce can also be a big change for someone. Again, not news. But, mix stress and change and you get the potential for CRAZY behavior.
You might not regularly party or put raunchy pictures up the ‘gram but you’ve been dealing with a lot and your ex might be acting up due to the divorce. You decide “Hey, let’s show them what they’re missing!” You put up a picture of you at a club or with friends on a night out. Now, while these pictures might not really be that bad you don’t want to test the judge. A fun night out relieving stress might look way different depending on the context it’s framed. So, best things best, just avoid posting or getting tagged in inappropriate pictures for the time being.
3. Watch Your Language
Say you’ve followed this guide; you’ve disconnected from your ex online and you’ve avoided posting the wrong things. Don’t ruin your chances at resolving your case by venting about your ex online. It’s easy to get carried away and end up sharing too many details. If you have to vent, and we all do sometimes, make sure to vent to a friend or family member, and away from social media. And hey, if you don’t have a trusted friend or family member, you can vent to us as your attorneys!
Fake Posts can be a Real headache in Divorce Court
Worst case scenario is that someone can even create fake postings in your name. And if you’ve had a history of posting questionable things, the judge is more likely to believe that fake post as something that you did. That fake post can be used against you in court.
I’m not telling you not to get on social media, if you’re already on there, maybe some of the damage has been done. But really, unless you’re an influencer, you shouldn’t be posting things every day. And anything that you post, you should definitely be thoughtful that you concede it again in court. Post wisely. What you need to remember is that whatever you post should be something that you’re proud of, something that you don’t mind being seen again.
Atlanta Divorce Lawyers – The Edwards Law Group
It’s always good to think twice before posting something online. If you have questions about the divorce process contact us today. Few other firms in Atlanta or throughout Georgia match our experience or knowledge. We can walk you through everything you need to know about the process and how best to approach it. Call today to set up a consultation.
