Believe it or not, social media can affect your Charleston divorce case. While you might assume that there is no harm in continuing to use your social media accounts, especially if you make your profiles private, it is essential to understand how social media posts can be used in divorces. Your ex might use images you have posted to harm your case for alimony or child child custody, or your ex may try to use words you have posted against you. In some cases, you might not even realize you are posting something that could impact your case, or that you are tagged in someone else’s post in a way that could be damaging to you in your divorce. An article in Psychology Today describes social media and divorce as part of a “recipe for disaster.” The following are some key considerations for social media and divorce from our Charleston divorce attorneys.
Consider Deactivating Your Social Media Accounts
Whether you are in the early stages of planning for a divorce or you are currently going through a divorce in South Carolina, you should consider deactivating your social media accounts until your divorce is finalized. You may not even realize that certain information can be used against you in various ways. Your ex might try to grab language or images from one or more of your accounts to suggest that you are hiding assets, that you do not actually need alimony, or that your fitness as a parent is in question. Since it can be confusing to know for sure what might be used against you, it is a good idea to deactivate accounts. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and any other social media platform you are currently using.
Avoid Deleting Posts
Realizing that your ex might try to use information on your social media accounts against you might lead you to think it is important to delete images or language that could be incriminating. Yet you should wait before you delete anything and speak to a lawyer. To be sure, deleting certain posts could look incriminating, too — as if you are trying to hide certain information or evidence.
Check Your Privacy Settings and Watch What You Post
If you feel like you need to post, check your privacy settings and be very careful about any images or language you post. You should know that making your accounts private is not enough to prevent your ex from using information you post. It can still be accessed, and you may have followers or friends who share information with your ex.
Talk to Friends and Family Members About Tagging or Mentioning You
Regardless of whether you decide to deactivate your social media accounts, be sure to talk to friends and family members about posting images of you, tagging you, or mentioning you in posts. This type of information could also be used against you in your divorce case.
Contact a Charleston Divorce Attorney
To ensure that you are taking the right steps when it comes to social media and your divorce, you should get in touch with a Charleston divorce attorney as soon as possible. Contact The Peck Law Firm online or give us a call at 843-631-7117 today.
Recommendations For Additional Reading
Social Media and Your Marriage
Why You Should Deactivate Your Social Media During a Pending Divorce
Can Frequent Social Media Use Cause A Divorce?