Many of us are constantly plugged in, especially when it comes to social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all invite us to share every detail of our lives with our friends, family, and acquaintances. It has even become commonplace for people to vent their frustrations or to tap into their followers for advice on specific problems and situations. This is usually not a big deal for most, but if you are in the midst of a divorce, it could be a big and costly mistake.
Here are some reasons why you might want to reconsider using social media during your divorce:
- Financial Information: Obviously, no one is listing their annual income or massive bonuses on social media, but there are other ways to show off your financial wealth online without announcing the numbers. For example, if you post a bunch of photos of the pricey exotic vacation you took or a big extravagant purchase, despite the fact that you claimed low income to avoid high alimony payments, you are going to look like a liar. Even if your ex is no longer on your friends list, you might still share mutual friends and you can never know for sure who is loyal to whom. Instead of risking information getting relayed to your ex, just stay off social media.
- Child Custody: If you share children with your soon-to-be former spouse, staying on social media is also a pretty risky and could potentially harm your chances at obtaining custody. For example, if you were supposed to be watching the children, but post pictures of yourself partying or engaging in questionable behavior, a judge might decide you are not fit to care for them.
- Dating Sites: Divorce can be a lonely time and you might feel like now is the right time to hit the dating scene again, but creating an online dating profile before the divorce is finalized is a terrible idea and might be considered evidence of potential cheating. Additionally, many people often try to make themselves look better than they actually are on such sites, so if what you post differs from the truth, this can also cause problems for you.
The wisest thing for you to do while you are still in the process of getting a divorce is to simply err on the side of caution and stay off social media. Nothing you post on the internet is ever truly private and it can be used as evidence against you in divorce proceedings. If you do decide to remain on social media, always ask yourself if you would want a judge to see what you are about to post.
Altamonte Springs Divorce Attorney
If you and your spouse decided to move forward with a divorce, now is the time to obtain the experienced and skilled representation you deserve to get you through this complex and emotional process. At the Law Office of Russell S. Hershkowitz, LLC, we have represented clients in Florida family courts for decades.
Contact us today at (407) 753-4111 to schedule a consultation and learn what we can do for you.