If you and your spouse are having trouble agreeing on the terms of your divorce, it is likely that a judge will have to step in to make decisions relating to child custody, spousal support, and property division. You can have an attorney to gather and present evidence to support your case, and your spouse can have their own attorney to do the same for them.
Nowadays, social media posts are commonly used as evidence in Washington divorce cases. Many people post their entire lives online. However, posting about your personal life can be detrimental to your case. Your spouse and their attorney will likely be scouring the internet to find any information that can be used against you. Here are some ways social media can impact your divorce:
- Photos/videos of expensive purchases or vacations may serve as evidence of hidden income or assets and disprove claims that you cannot afford to pay alimony or child support.
- Posting photos or details about your new relationship may also impact your divorce. For example, your ex may argue that you were unfaithful during the marriage and spent marital funds on your new partner, which could prevent you from receiving alimony or recovering certain assets.
- Photos/videos of you engaging in behavior a judge may find offensive (e.g., photos of you drinking alcohol) may be used to allege that you are an unfit parent for child custody purposes.
- Negative posts about your ex may make you look petty and make it harder for your attorney to prove to the court that your claims are legitimate. If you have kids, these posts may also indicate to the court that you are unwilling to coparent with your ex, which could impact custody.
Tips for social media use during a divorce
If you are in the process of getting a divorce, you should be mindful about what you post on social media. Consider the following when it comes to using social media during a divorce:
- Avoid posting as much as possible. Even a post that seems harmless can be used against you by your ex and their attorney.
- Do not assume that your privacy settings will protect you. Even if your posts are private, it is possible for your ex to obtain access to them through friends/family. However, you should still change your passwords, protect your posts as much as possible, and do whatever you can to make sure your ex does not have access to anything you post online.
- Tell friends and family to avoid posting photos of you and tagging you in their posts.
- Monitor what your kids are posting, as you are responsible for what they do online.
- Only use personal devices to access your accounts. Your work computer is likely being monitored.
Social media is a great way to share information and stay in touch with loved ones. However, remember that anything you say may be used against you during your divorce.