Social Media has grown rapidly in recent years and millions of people use Internet platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Snapchat to share pictures and status updates to their friends and networks. Even the Divorce Attorneys here Minick Law, P.C. here in Gastonia, NC use a number of different social media channels to connect with prospective, current, and past clients. All this information that you share on the Internet, however, is public, especially when it comes to the courtroom. This last part often comes as a huge surprise to parties in the middle of, or seeking, a divorce. Here's how social media affects your divorce.
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
The privacy problems with social media also extend to divorce proceedings. Because the divorce process can be a difficult and contentious time, emotions and stress tend to run high. In dealing with these problems, potentially damaging statements can be made without thinking. More often then not, many people wind up posting negative messages or content on social media about their divorce. Typically, this is done to vent or to get opinions from there friends. However, this posting is not just between friends. It can easily be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence could then harm your chances in everything from your separation agreement to child custody.
Lawyers too search on social media for information that might be beneficial in a divorce. Your "friends," your posts, pictures, "check-ins" at certain locations, "likes," profile activity and page views-all these can be used as evidence in your defense or against you.
As it can be seen, the use of social media can produce a lot of information that an individual may not want to become public. Because of this, you should adopt the attitude that everything and anything you post on the Internet could one day show up at any time - especially in court. As such, when going through a divorce, you should generally avoid posting anything relating to your divorce or your spouse as it may negatively affect your case.
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
The privacy problems with social media also extend to divorce proceedings. Because the divorce process can be a difficult and contentious time, emotions and stress tend to run high. In dealing with these problems, potentially damaging statements can be made without thinking. More often then not, many people wind up posting negative messages or content on social media about their divorce. Typically, this is done to vent or to get opinions from there friends. However, this posting is not just between friends. It can easily be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence could then harm your chances in everything from your separation agreement to child custody.
Lawyers too search on social media for information that might be beneficial in a divorce. Your "friends," your posts, pictures, "check-ins" at certain locations, "likes," profile activity and page views-all these can be used as evidence in your defense or against you.
As it can be seen, the use of social media can produce a lot of information that an individual may not want to become public. Because of this, you should adopt the attitude that everything and anything you post on the Internet could one day show up at any time - especially in court. As such, when going through a divorce, you should generally avoid posting anything relating to your divorce or your spouse as it may negatively affect your case.
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