The end of any marriage is rarely easy, as both spouses must deal with some type of emotional fallout. While posting photos or messages to social media may be an easy way to find support or even to blow off steam, you must be careful not to allow your online presence to complicate your divorce.
According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 70% of Americans regularly use social media platforms, such as Instagram or Twitter. While you may not have to go completely silent online, the following types of posts may turn your divorce into a nightmare.
Posts about the kids
If you are in the middle of a contentious child custody dispute, anything you post about your kids may irritate your soon-to-be ex-spouse. An irritated spouse, of course, may employ delay tactics that make your custody battle needlessly long. On the other hand, if your posts make you appear to be an unfit or irresponsible parent, you may have difficulty obtaining the custody result you want.
Posts about your spouse and other players
Even if you have restricted privacy settings on social media, you must assume anything you post is public. Having your spouse’s lawyer read your posts in open court may be awkward and embarrassing. Likewise, even if you dislike the judge or your spouse’s attorney, any posts you make about them may make their way into the official record.
Posts about your finances
You may want to pay as little in spousal support as possible. You may also believe you should receive a larger share of your marital estate. Either way, if you post about lavish spending or an extravagant lifestyle, you may give your spouse’s lawyer ammunition to use against you.
Ultimately, because it is easy to lose control of your senses when using social media, exercising discretion may help you maintain some control over your divorce.
