Over 30 Years Experience Focused In Divorce & Family Law

Social Media and Your Divorce

by | Mar 9, 2021 | Uncategorized |

Making plans to file for divorce means that you will likely need to make some lifestyle changes, including living by a more defined budget and abiding by a parenting time arrangement if you will be sharing custody of minor children from your marriage. In addition, both before and during your divorce case, you should consider making changes to the ways you use social media. In short, social media posts can be harmful in your divorce case, and you might not even realize it. The following is some key information you should know about social media and your Michigan divorce.

Social Media Posts May Be Used Against You in a Divorce

It seems like almost everyone uses social media, from platforms like Facebook and Instagram to Twitter. Indeed, according to the Pew Research Center, more than 70% of all Americans use social media in some capacity. That number represents a significant increase from social media use even five years ago, and it includes people of all ages. By 2020, nearly 50% of adults aged 65 and older even use at least one social media site, while anywhere from 80% to 90% of adults between the ages of 18 and 49 use at least one social media site. In short, social media posting is extremely common, but you need to know that your posts could be used against you in your divorce case.

If you post anything—language or images—that makes it seem like you have enough money to enjoy a vacation or a nice dinner, your spouse could argue that you should not be eligible for spousal support. Or, if you have minor children from your marriage and will be going through a child custody case, your spouse could try to use images of you consuming alcohol or other potentially harmful behaviors, or evidence of certain ideological positions you take on social media, to suggest that you should not share custody of your child.

Private Posts are Not Necessarily Private

You cannot assume that it is safe to post on social media during your divorce if you change your privacy settings so that your spouse cannot access your posts. Friends or colleagues may still tag you in certain posts that your spouse can access, and friends or family members might actually show your posts to your spouse. Divorce is extremely difficult on the parties going through the process, but it can also be complicated for the friends and family members around the married couple. Those friends and family members might feel like they need to choose sides, and even if you do not realize it, someone who you believed to be a friend could share private social media posts you make. 

It is best to avoid social media altogether if you can do it. You can temporarily disable your accounts.

Contact a Michigan Divorce Lawyer

Do you have questions about social media and your divorce? One of our experienced Michigan divorce attorneys can speak with you about your case and the potential effects of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms in your divorce. Contact the Law Offices of Michael A. Robbins to learn more about how we can assist you with your divorce.

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