Social media has infiltrated our lives in unexpected and – some would say – invasive ways. While platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat certainly make it easier to keep up with friends and family, there are additional implications to consider – especially if you are going through a divorce. If you are facing a divorce or have divorce concerns, consult with an experienced Raleigh family lawyer today.
Social Media: A Window into Your Reputation
Generally, we use social media to share a bit of our lives in a way that evokes our personalities. This is all well and good, but if you are going through a divorce, a little can go a long way. The State of North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state, which means that your divorce cannot be predicated on any unseemly behavior in which you or your spouse may have engaged. Such misconduct can, however, affect the outcome of your divorce, and your social media posts can be evidence of such conduct. In fact, information gleaned from social media accounts can be used to influence the outcome of your child custody arrangements and the division of your marital property – two of the primary concerns of nearly every divorce.
Past and Present Posts
While there’s nothing you can do to alter your past social media posts (even deleting them does not make them entirely inaccessible), you can control the narrative moving forward. Regarding those past posts, it is not in your best interest to try to scrub your account clean because, undoubtedly, someone will have a long memory – or a screenshot. Further, doing so only draws attention to the matter. You can, however, be careful of what you post beginning now. Divorce is stressful, and many people find that social media is a great way to let off steam, but this can have unintended effects on the outcome of your divorce. Taking a break from social media as you process through your divorce is generally the best path forward.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
The old adage that a picture says a thousand words was never truer than it is now. Every picture you post tells a story, and there are certain stories that should be carefully avoided, including:
- Anything that shows extravagant spending, such as pictures from a fancy vacation or of pricey purchases
- Anything that indicates you have entered into a new romantic relationship (or that could be misconstrued that way)
- Anything that hints at a party lifestyle
- Anything that hints of emotional instability (again, divorce is stressful – but there are better venues than memorializing your darkest hours in text or photos)
The fact is that any of these posts could be completely innocent, but even the appearance of impropriety can work against you.
If You Are Facing Divorce, Consult with a Raleigh Family Lawyer Today
Divorce is mired with potential pitfalls, and social media can be one of them. If you are going through a divorce, the dedicated family lawyers at Daphne Edwards Divorce & Family Law in Raleigh are committed to helping you throughout the divorce process. For more information, please contact us online or call us at 919-891-8552 today.