Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media sites offer a way to keep in touch with out of state friends and family. Being able to share life experiences with the click of a button is convenient, but in some cases can cause more harm than good. For example, your postings about your case may be produced in court by the other side. Racy photos or inappropriate remarks may be all that a Judge needs to determine custody of your children should lie with your ex-spouse.
Social media’s impact on divorce can also be felt in the following areas:
● Discovery of assets
● Impact on the amount of support and/or alimony
● Visitation
● Your right to privacy
While sites like LinkedIn may prove fruitful for your career, they may also give your soon to be ex ammunition to impute income. Posting promotions or new jobs can reveal you are now at a position with a higher income and thus may have the ability to pay more. Likewise, posting photos of girls night out might cause the father of your children to seek sole custody rather than shared custody. In this digital age, voluntarily posting photos and comments eliminates some of your expectation of privacy in your life. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and fight the urge to comment or post things you would not want the Judge to see. Even your text messages may be used as evidence in a divorce proceeding, so text with caution.
Call our office to make an appointment with a skilled family law attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. We offer guidance on socially acceptable behavior during your case, and also fight to keep your private matters private. We know how to investigate a case and present the evidence in a way that is beneficial to the outcome rather than detrimental to your family.