Emily Chambers for CoilLaw
Mutual Friends
It’s probably no surprise to you that married couples often have a large circle of overlapping mutual friends. This extends to social media. When a marriage breaks up, this can lead to friends taking sides or passing along info about one to the other. Even if you’ve blocked or unfriended your ex on social media, your mutual friends can probably see both of your posts still and may not be able to help to talk about it to the other.
So when you brag on social media about the awesome new flat screen you bought, or that weekend getaway to Vegas with your buddies, realize that your ex may hear about it and can use that against you when you claim you can’t afford to pay alimony.
Or maybe you posted photos of you partying, or with your new girlfriend/boyfriend. The judge may read this as: This person is irresponsible and may not be a good parent, or: This person probably was unfaithful to their spouse since they’ve moved on so quickly before the divorce is even finalized. Or maybe you didn’t post anything about it, but one of your friends did and tagged you in a photo. It’s hard to control what makes it to the web, so you need to be cautious.
Social Posts Don’t Always Disappear
It’s nearly impossible to forever get rid of all traces of something once it’s been on the Internet. Even if you’ve “hidden” or deleted:
- posts
- tweets
- photos
Someone may have already taken a screenshot of it, or it can be discoverable in browser histories. It’s also important to know that text messages, recorded phone calls, instant messages, emails, and other communication can be used in a court of law. Even if you’re texting who you think is a friend, be careful what you say about your ex or about you on social media during a divorce, as it may get passed on. We’ve even seen how shared Google calendars can get people in trouble.
When in doubt, basically think about it this way: Don’t write, speak, or post anything digitally that you wouldn’t mind being passed on to anyone, anywhere, forever. It may sound extreme, but everything is under a microscope during a divorce, and if Opposing Counsel can prove that you aren’t being honest about your financials or other disclosed information, you may risk losing your case or getting in even more legal trouble.
Get a Utah Divorce Attorney
Navigating divorce and all the “do’s and don’ts” of communicating with and about your Ex can be complicated. You need to ensure you consult with a competent family law attorney that can help you come to a fair and reasonable resolution so that you don’t make the mistakes above.
At CoilLaw, LLC, Salt Lake City Divorce attorney Jill Coil understands how to advise you during a divorce to help you achieve the best settlement and/or result possible. At CoilLaw we are ready and available to help you through your legal action. If you need legal advice concerning a Utah family law issue, call Jill Coil at CoilLaw LLC in Utah at (801) 939-6027 today.