Social media has made the twenty-first century be a 60-second news cycle rather than a 24-hour news cycle. People are on various social media platforms constantly and often feel the need to post about their lives. However, when you are going through a divorce, or about to file for divorce, a break from social media may be helpful. Keep in mind these tips before your social media posts de-rail your divorce….
- Do a social media cleanse. Keep in mind that your lawyer, your spouse, and his or her lawyer are all going to be searching you on google and social media. Don’t do their job for them by leaving up inappropriate posts that could incriminate you by painting you as a money squanderer, unfit parent, someone with anger management issues, etc. Even something seemingly innocent as a photo or check-in could be used to allege that you were having an affair or doing something else “inappropriate.”
- Come clean with your attorney. After you do your social media cleanse, you may realize that you have old posts that could still hurt your case. Before you delete them, download them, or print them out and show them to your attorney. While they may not be pretty, it will be the best way for your attorney to be prepared to fight them if necessary.
- Social media is not your friend. Confide in a human. Divorce is not an easy time for anyone. However, social media is not the arena to air your frustrations. If you are angry, hurt or upset, find a friend to confide in rather than blasting it all over social media.
- If you must post, be a Positive Penny and not a Negative Nancy. If you want to post positive things about your children, your spouse, your friends, that’s fine. But do not post negatively about anyone in your life, do not air your dirty laundry and do not post sarcastically.
- Dance like no one is watching and Post like everyone is. Even if you think you have the best privacy settings on your profiles, people can still find your information and posts. If you don’t want your post to be shown or read aloud in a courtroom, then don’t post it.
- Keep on the straight and narrow. Now is not the time to take pictures of you intoxicated in any way, or in a compromising position with a “friend.” Think about what you would want your child to post on social media and keep your posts just as innocent.
- Don’t stalk your soon-to-be-ex, or their friends or family. Inevitably, social media stalking will only accomplish two things. One, it will make you jealous or upset and two, it will lead you to potentially inaccurate assumptions which you may waste a lot of time and money pursuing.
- Unfollow anyone who may be a trigger. This could be your spouse, his or her family and friends, or even mutual friends that appear to have taken sides. If you continue to follow these people, it may unnecessarily inject animosity into your divorce.
- Make your accounts as private as possible. Even if you follow all of these steps, do not make it easier for someone on your spouse’s side to dig up dirt on you.
- Do not advertise. If you are already in a new relationship, or you got a raise at work, or you went on a fancy vacation, do not advertise it. It is likely that any evidence of those things will be used against you.
Ever argue with a woman? Call us today, and let us help you be prepared for your divorce. We can be reached at 203.745.3151 or you can email us at info@wolfandshorelaw.com.
