At Stepp & Sullivan, our divorce attorneys in Houston understand that social media plays a big part in literally millions of our Texas residents’ lives, whether their platform of choice is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Messaging apps.
We also know how and why these apps can be detrimental to each of our client’s divorce proceedings, which is why we encourage all clients to avoid using social media during family law disputes.
Here is why.
Consider the number of people you are connected to on each social media platform in which you are a user. Then think about how many of those people are friends, acquaintances, or even partially connected to your soon-to-be-ex-spouse.
Even if you are posting about things that have nothing to do with your divorce, social media has a one-sided effect, which opens any post happy, sad, snarky, charming, or otherwise up to scrutiny.
When readers infer what they will from a post, screenshots can immediately be taken and passed along to the other spouse and his or her divorce attorney, which can help strengthen their cases.
Here is what you can do to keep that from happening.
Avoid Posting, Texting, or Messaging Emotional Outbursts
Divorce is a very emotional and confusing time for everyone involved.
Even couples who may appear to have an amicable path to dissolving their marriages can become demonstrative during the process, as the stress and anxiety of the unknown draw closer.
When you take to social media to express those emotions, or text or message someone who you may believe is on your side of the argument, those expressions can end up in the wrong hands.
Divorce, infidelity, finances, or child custody, and support issues are private. And the only way to keep them that way is to avoid posting about them on social media platforms or messaging apps.
Even if your spouse no longer has access to your social media feeds, assume someone he or she knows does, and it only takes a second to take a screenshot of an emotional outburst even if you delete it later.
Avoid Posting, Texting, or Messaging Celebrations
While what you do on your own time whether it is going to dinner with friends or enjoying a glass of wine on your porch is your business, it can quickly become everyone else’s when you post about it on social media.
Assume everyone including your spouse’s friends and family can see your social media feed. And while you may take the stance that you do not care what they think, your spouse’s divorce attorney is going to paint a different picture of these celebratory times.
Are you driving under the influence?
Where are the children?
Even when you can disprove any wrongdoing, the mere appearance of dangerous or irresponsible behavior can hurt you inside and outside the courtroom during a divorce.
Avoid Posting, Texting, or Messaging Your Location
Most contested divorces in Texas have several sticking points, including spousal support, child custody, and child support that are going to be litigated in front of a judge before the divorce is final.
If you are claiming in court to have very little financial resources, but are posting images from a lavish vacation, your case is going to begin weakening.
If you are claiming you should get complete custody of your children but are posting images of your out-on-the-town exploits each night you have them, your spouse’s divorce attorney is going to use that information against you.
There are hundreds of these scenarios, which is why it is safer to pause your accounts as soon as a divorce is underway, just to be on the safe side.
Contact Stepp & Sullivan to Schedule an Appointment with Our Houston Family Law Attorneys Today
At Stepp & Sullivan, our divorce attorneys in Harris County believe in personal and powerful legal representation, which allows our clients to make informed decisions about the direction of their cases.
This includes encouraging our clients no matter their legal disputes to avoid social media until the issue has been fully resolved.
If you have questions about divorce, child support, or other family law matters, contact our Houston family law attorneys today at (713) 336-7200 or online to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique circumstances.
