7 Social Media Tips for Going Through a Divorce

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It’s become second nature to want to post updates about what’s going on in both our personal and professional lives. However, the issue with social media platforms is that they are public and anyone can look at them, including the spouse you are divorcing and their legal team. The odds are good that they are looking for any type of evidence they can find to prove that they deserve or should get more marital assets than you or be the primary guardian of your children. You never know how they’ll spin something you post. For that reason, we have social media tips on what you should not post if you’re going through a divorce.

At The Law Offices of Diron Rutty, LLC, we understand how challenging and emotionally taxing divorce can be. As a family law firm, we have seen firsthand the impact that social media can have on divorce cases and we want to save you from that. That’s why we have compiled these tips to help people going through a divorce navigate social media in a way that will not harm their case.

7 Things to Avoid Doing on Social Media During Your Divorce

When it comes to divorce, social media can be a double-edged sword. While it can provide a platform for support and venting or even just simply connecting with friends and family, it can also be a source of potential problems and evidence in legal proceedings. 

#1. Think Before You Post

The most important tip to remember is to think before you post. The worst thing is that it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s almost too easy to type out what you’re feeling and post without thinking, but before you hit send, we recommend that you stop and consider for a moment how someone could misconstrue this post and use it against you. If there’s even a slight possibility, don’t post it. You can always save it in your drafts and post it after the divorce is over.

When it comes to the internet, anything you post online can potentially be used against you in court. Remember, even if your accounts are set to private, there are ways for your posts to be seen by others.

#2. Avoid Negative Posts About Your Ex

It’s understandable to feel angry and hurt during a divorce, but posting negative or derogatory comments about your ex on social media can come back to haunt you. These posts can be used as evidence against you in court. They will make it easy to paint you as vindictive and potentially damage your credibility. 

While credibility may not feel so important when dividing assets, it will when it comes to child custody, child visitation, child support, and alimony. This is one of those tips that you should maintain even after the divorce is finished, especially for the sake of your children. Your ex can come back and use those posts as proof to get modifications for your divorce agreements as well.

#3. Do Not Share Details of Your Divorce

Divorce proceedings are private matters, and it’s essential to keep them that way. Posting details or updates about your divorce on social media cannot only damage your case but also be considered disrespectful towards your ex, leading to the same issues as tip #2. 

Plus, sharing sensitive information can also put you at risk of identity theft or stalking.

#4. Avoid Oversharing

When going through a divorce, it’s natural to seek support from friends and family. However, oversharing on social media can be detrimental to your case. Posting too much personal information about yourself or your children can raise concerns about your judgment and ability to protect their privacy. 

Even if it’s positive or neutral news, many courts and judges will not look favorably on someone oversharing information about themselves, especially their minor children. This could easily be used to portray you as endangering your children, especially if your soon-to-be ex-spouse does not overshare their private lives on social media.

#5. Be Careful About Tagging Locations

Tagging your location in posts or photos can provide valuable information to the other party, such as where you are living or spending time. This information can be used against you in court, especially as proof of your finances or your responsibility. So it’s best to avoid tagging locations altogether.

A nice trip for you and your children, maybe something you saved up time and money for, can be made to appear as proof that you have more money available for spousal or child support than you do.

#6. Avoid Posting About New Relationships

While it may be tempting to share your new relationship on social media, doing so can create complications in your divorce case. It’s not wrong to start dating before your divorce is finalized; divorces can take years, longer than it takes for someone to move on to their next relationship.

However, it is proof of a new relationship before the divorce is finalized, and even if you’re already legally separated, your spouse can point to the relationship as a reason for divorce. This can seriously hurt your case. 

Even if it’s not true, that little bit of doubt can only hurt you. If the other party wants to plant the idea that your new relationship is a factor in the divorce, they would use your social media posts to support their claims. It’s best to keep any new relationships private until after the divorce is finalized.

#7. Keep Your Friends List Private

During a divorce, it’s best to keep your social media circle small and only allow close friends and family to see your posts, even the ones that should pose absolutely no problem. This can prevent information from getting back to the other party and causing unnecessary conflicts or complications.

Contact the Divorce Attorneys at The Law Offices of Diron Rutty, LLC For Social Media Tips During Divorce

Divorce is already challenging enough without having to worry about the impact of social media on your case. By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your case from any potential harm caused by social media. Remember, when in doubt, it’s best to refrain from posting or sharing anything related to your divorce on social media.

If you have any concerns or questions about managing social media during a divorce, don’t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Diron Rutty, LLC for guidance and support. We are here to help you navigate through this difficult time and ensure a favorable outcome for your case.