Are you the type to take a photograph of your lunch every day and post it onto Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media apps? Maybe you saw some beauty in the composition of the plate? Maybe you know a few friends who will rush out to get the same bite once they see the pic? Maybe you were just bored? Whatever your reason for frequently sharing your life over social media, it needs to be dramatically curbed if you are going through a divorce or settling a child custody dispute.
Serious family law matters such as divorce, alimony, child custody, and so on require a certain level of delicateness to complete without someone getting hurt. Posting up each facet of your daily life could arguably be a polar opposite of carefulness. Without a filter on what you are sharing and allowing anyone to see it – even the “private” account stuff will make its way around eventually – increases the risk of bad blood between the divorcing spouses. The most innocuous or friendly of posts can be misconstrued or misinterpreted to be malicious or spiteful, taking what could have been a fast uncontested divorce resolved through mediation and turning it into a mess of emotions and courtroom dates.
Imagine how you would feel if your spouse kept sharing images of them having fun nights out with friends, laughing and loving every minute of it, while you were at home struggling to get the pieces of your divorce together. Even if they were putting on a fake smile for the camera, you would never know that and you might understandably start to feel jaded. And if it can happen to you, it can happen to them, too.
Don’t Be Their Fly on the Wall
Other than giving your soon-to-be ex-spouse some potential emotional cannon fodder, regular posting to social media can give them unnecessary, and risky, insight into your private life that you probably don’t want to be their business anymore. The most damaging picture they can uncover is one of you with a new flame. Even if it is a harmless, friends-only relationship, your spouse could shape it into evidence of adultery or unfaithfulness, something to show that you were not committed to the marriage and, therefore, deserve less of your divided assets.
In terms of child custody agreements, sharing too much on social media apps and website also opens up a wide window for your spouse to look through in search of negligent behavior. You know, the sort of actions that a parent should probably steer clear from? Back to the scenario of finding a folder of “night out” pictures on your spouse’s wall, such a carefree, party-oriented mindset might not be right for your children, stripping them of some of their child custody rights. And if you can do that to them, they can do it to you. If you let them.
Step Away in More than One Way
Once you know that your marriage has run its course, it may be difficult but it is time to step away from your spouse while the dust settles. And you also need to step away from your social media apps. The benefit of keeping up with the Joneses does not outweigh the risks you take of exposing your personal life to the suspicious eyes of your spouse.
If you are going through a divorce in Texas and need help figuring out what your next decision should be, contact me, Deer Park Divorce Attorney Dennis M. Slate. I can explain further the disadvantages of social media and steer you towards a peaceful resolution that does not leave you, your ex-spouse, or your children feeling cheated. Call me at 281.407.9254 today.
