Tips for Using Social Media During Your Divorce

By Sheryl Rentz on October 13, 2015

Social media can be a great tool to help connect people. It can also affect your life in ways you probably didn’t even think about until your divorce. Statistics show that 80 percent of divorce lawyers have used evidence from social media sites in divorce cases. You should probably look at social media use during divorces cases like you’re being given your Miranda rights every time you log onto social media: anything you post can and probably will be used against you in a court of law.

Most family law lawyers would probably suggest you “unfriend” your ex on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This is because lawyers will investigate what you do online. They’ll look into everything and anything you post on social media. Remember: anything posted can be printed, and anything printed can be presented later. ALWAYS think twice before posting something online that could reflect poorly on you during divorce proceedings.

Here are a few tips for how to stay online when you’re going through a divorce:

• Be careful about what you post. A mean comment about your ex or a picture out with friends on Saturday night isn’t a harmless post. Your ex’s lawyer will use anything they can to damage your character. Always remember that anything posted on social media can be taken out of context.
• Don’t vent. Writing any negative comments about your ex only increases hard feelings and lessens how effective a mediation or divorce case can be. Being mean about your ex can only lead to a tougher fight with them.
• Beware mutual friends. You and your spouse probably have many social media friends in common. This means any information you share could find its way to your ex, even if you’ve unfriended or unfollowed them.
• Don’t mention your children. Keep your kids out of your divorce case and off your social media. Posting about kids can be taken by a lawyer and twisted around any number of ways. An everyday complaint can make you look like a bad parent.
• Assume everything you do online will be found. Posts can be found by lawyers, your ex, their friends and family, or anyone with an internet connection. Negative posts will be used against you.

Think before you post. And remember the internet is forever. If you have any questions about social media and divorce, please contact the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C. at (610) 645-0100.