Can Social Media Posts Be Used Against Me in a Divorce?
Our Fort Worth divorce attorney explains how social media posts can jeopardize your rights in a divorce settlement.
Posting on social media is a regular part of life for many people. Pictures, status updates, and other types of content provide an intimate window into our personal lives and daily activities. Unfortunately, this could work against you when going through divorce proceedings. Our Fort Worth divorce attorney explains more about the potential hazards and the steps you need to take to protect yourself.
How Social Media Posts Can Jeopardize Your Rights in a Fort Worth Divorce?
According to surveys from Statista, there are currently over 300 million social media users in the United States. You may not think twice about sharing different types of content with friends, family, and current or former business acquaintances, but it can jeopardize your rights and safety in certain situations.
Most people are aware of the potential for online bullying, and the platform social media provides to potentially dangerous people. Maintaining your privacy is always an issue, and despite your precautions, you could still become a victim of hacking or identity theft. Social media posts are also used to dispute insurance claims and legal matters, including both civil and criminal cases.
If you are going through a divorce in Fort Worth, it is important to be aware of how, what, and when your post could be used against you. Common examples that could impact your rights in divorce proceedings:
- Posting negative comments about your spouse or making any type of threats, which could be seen as abusive or an attempt to intimidate them;
- Posting about a new relationship before your divorce is finalized, providing proof of adultery;
- Posts that provide insights into your financial status, which could impact your rights regarding marital property division and spousal support;
- Posting about your children and certain types of activities in your personal life, which could be used in custody proceedings.
Steps to Prevent Social Media Posts From Being Used Against You in Divorce
If you have filed for divorce through the Tarrant County Family Court or are involved in any type of legal proceedings, the safest course of action is to refrain from posting on social media and to shut down these accounts temporarily until your case is resolved. If this is not possible or practical in your situation, take these steps to help prevent your posts from being used against you:
- Set your social media accounts to private or ‘friends only’;
- Restrict yourself from being tagged in others’ photos or posts;
- Avoid posting anything about your spouse, your children, or your divorce;
- Avoid checking in at different locations or otherwise providing too many details on your activities.
Request a Consultation With Our Fort Worth Divorce Attorney
To learn more about how to protect yourself in divorce proceedings, reach out to the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker. Call 817-332-7703 or contact our Fort Worth divorce attorney online and request a confidential consultation today