Many people share their daily activities, stories of success, and challenging moments with family and friends on social media. However, when going through a divorce, you should be more cautious with your online behavior, as your posts could be presented in court as evidence for matters such as custody, child support, and spousal maintenance. Meet with your attorney and discuss the following guidelines for the best results.

How to Use Social Media Responsibly When Getting Divorced

1. Don’t Badmouth Your Spouse

No matter how you feel about your soon-to-be ex, refrain from saying anything insulting about them online. The court won’t look favorably on you for making disparaging remarks and, if your comments are false, you may open yourself up to a libel lawsuit. Additionally, if your children are old enough to be on social media, they’re likely going to read what you write, causing them more stress and potentially impacting your ability to get custody.

2. Think About What You Share

Simple status updates may not be harmful to your case, but sharing more personal information could be. For example, it’s best not to post photos with a new significant other, as this may raise questions of infidelity. You also shouldn’t share anything about large purchases or vacations, since this could make the judge believe you’re better off financially than you are, influencing their judgment on asset distribution, child support, or spousal maintenance.

3. Avoid Talking About Your Case

Overall, it’s wise not to mention anything about your case on social media, as doing so could void your attorney-client privilege. Also, there’s always the possibility that a post could be taken out of context and used as evidence against you in court. Even if your profiles are on the highest privacy setting, the judge or your spouse’s attorney could access your page and review the posts you thought you were sharing privately.

If you need legal counsel from a divorce attorney you can trust, turn to Upstate Legal Center of John V. Shepard in Rochester, NY. Attorney Shepard will help you navigate all the complexities of divorce and provide you with sound advice to ensure you don’t make mistakes that could jeopardize your case. Backed by more than 30 years of experience, he has successfully represented countless clients throughout Rochester and Monroe counties. Call (585) 429-5422 to schedule a free consultation, or visit his website for more information on his background.