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3 reasons to avoid social media during divorce

You might be one of many people in Michigan or beyond who looks forward to winding down at the end of the day or on your lunch break by spending time updating your social media accounts. Whether you have 50 or 50,000 followers on sites like Instagram, YouTube or Gab, you might want to take a hiatus from posting if you’re currently navigating a divorce.

Perhaps you feel like you really need a creative outlet to help calm your nerves and put the past behind you as you make plans to move on in life after divorce. Creativity can be therapeutic, for sure; however, there are several reasons that you might want to choose an outlet that does not exist through social media.

Your ex might be stalking your pages during divorce

Especially if you and your former spouse don’t get along well, you’ll want to be wary of putting things in writing on social media, particularly if litigation will be part of your divorce process. The following list shows things that ex-spouses often try to use against their counterparts in court:

  • Pictures of you drinking alcohol or smoking
  • Posts or photographs of you on vacation, shopping, etc.
  • Negative comments or posts, including those with content that could be considered offensive

Depending on how manipulative or clever your ex is, he or she might use such posts against you in child custody, alimony or property division proceedings.

Something you post online might contradict something you say in court

If the judge overseeing your divorce asks you questions as part of the process to determine if you should be a primary custodian of your children, or questions about your income, etc., and you post a comment or statement on social media that appears to conflict with your testimony, it might cause legal problems.

Evidence that you are an unfit parent

If your ex is trying to paint an unfavorable picture of you as a parent, he or she might use photos from your social media pages or comments you’ve written on someone else’s page as evidence. For instance, if you have requested shared custody and have several photos online of you partying with friends, your ex might use it against you to say that you have a substance abuse problem or a lifestyle that places your kids at risk.

Using social media during divorce is not against the rules

As you navigate divorce in a Michigan court, you will face numerous decisions regarding various topics, such as your children, finances and more. You can make whatever decisions best fit your goals. If posting on social media helps you process your emotions, you may not want to stop.

It’s always best, however, to proceed with caution and to be fully aware of how someone might use your social media content against you in a family court. It’s also helpful to seek clarification about state laws, your parental rights and how you can protect your interests during divorce litigation.