After you separate, how should you handle your social media obligations and habits? Should you announce your separation? What types of pictures can you post? What should you share in status updates?
What you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, your personal blog and elsewhere can hugely impact on your family law case. Here’s a quick start guide to social media etiquette following a separation.
Legal Implications
Your social media posts can negatively affect your family law case, since the courts have ruled that posts and comments can be used as evidence. For example, if you claim that you don’t earn enough to pay what your ex requests in child support but then post about an exotic, two-week vacation that you took to Hawaii, the judge will question your truthfulness. You want to present the best possible image of yourself. Do not risk damaging your reputation by a thoughtless post.
Cover It Ahead of Time
When you separate, talk to your spouse, preferably when you can discuss matters rationally, about what information you will both post on social media. By agreeing together about how much information you will share, you can avoid serious problems down the road. Address the topic regularly as your situation changes. If you decide to publically post that you have separated and/or are divorcing, consider doing so at the same time. You might consider a joint announcement that you co-write. You do not want your relatives to hear the news from your wife or from one of her close friends on social media. This approach can also protect your children, who might be hurt the most in the long run by thoughtless social media posts.
Take a Social Media Vacation
Your lawyer might even recommend that you temporarily quit posting on social media until your divorce case is settled. You might briefly deactivate your account or else just stay off social media for a time, so that you don’t mistakenly post something that will hurt your case.
When in Doubt, Don’t Spout
If you wonder about posting a personal detail regarding your separation, you probably should leave it unsaid. Silence is wisdom. Instead of spewing information across social media, keep a private journal, speak privately with a trusted friend, or meet with a therapist.
Do you need insight about how to handle your social media experience following your separation? Speak with the California family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Silky Sahnan by calling us now at 888-228-1098.
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