Divorce is never an easy process, particularly if you and your soon-to-be ex are not on the best of terms. During divorce, you may feel angry at your spouse and want to lash out against them on social media. However, experts warn that anything you post online could come back to haunt you later on as you divide up your assets or fight over custody of your children.
Experts say that soon-to-be divorcees, particularly those with a high net-worth, should avoid posting on social media in general. Pictures in a “party” environment with drugs and/or alcohol, posts about your daily whereabouts, or posts about the divorce itself could all be used against you later on. Even a seemingly innocent vacation picture can backfire when it comes time to dive into the divorce proceedings and other divorce-related matters. For example, a man claimed that he could no longer afford alimony payments, but his vacation photos on social media proved otherwise, and were thus used against him in the divorce.
If you think that your spouse’s attorney won’t do whatever they can to find more evidence to better their client’s case, think again. Some attorneys hire a private investigator or use e-discovery tools to find out as much as they can about your finances and personal life. If you and your spouse can access each other’s social media accounts, it is even easier for them to find this information. Your spouse and their attorney may even go through your friends to get the information they seek.
Experts suggest that avoiding posting and deactivating your social media account is likely the best way to protect yourself during a divorce. Avoid permanently erasing information from your account as it could be seen as spoliation of evidence. If you would like to post something, it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney, even if the post seems harmless. Your attorney will have your best interests at heart and will help you make sure you don’t post anything that will hurt your case. Your attorney can also help dig up information on your spouse to be used against them during the proceedings.
