Social Media In Your Texas Divorce

 
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3.48 billion people are using social media in the world. This means that for good or bad, social media is going to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

While social media can be great for keeping in touch with old friends, the same information you share online could be used against you in your contested divorce case. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says that they have seen a dramatic increase in social-media acquired evidence collected from social media websites during a divorce.

If you anticipate that you will be in a divorce, child custody or any other legally contested family matters, there are many ways to avoid having your social media used against you.

Examples of things you should avoid posting on social media:

  • “Bashing” your spouse

  • Complaining about your case or your attorney

  • Showing off your new potential relationship

  • Talking about self-harm or harming others

  • Saying vengeful things about your spouse

Any of these situations could jeopardize your custody case, your financial case, or create retaliation that you could have avoided. It is possible to maintain an active social media life during your divorce, but take into consideration that all electronic evidence is becoming more increasingly common in family law. 

Types of electronic evidence that can be used against you:

  • Text messages

  • Social media status updates

  • Phone records

  • Screenshots

  • Personal emails

  • Web browser history

Ensuring that your privacy settings are configured correctly is extremely helpful when protecting yourself online--but keep in mind that nearly almost anything posted online these days can still be found.

Even though you filter your messages and postings, your private details can still be leaked to your spouse and collected as evidence. Too many divorce cases have been complicated by incriminating information found on the internet.

An experienced Texas divorce lawyer can help you navigate the labyrinth of electronic evidence and advise you on the potential impact of your social media use. Get in touch with us today and receive expert, tailored legal advice for your specific case.

 
Greg Melon