Divorce is hard and you will need support. You may feel inclined to go onto social media and talk about your case with those who love you most, your friends and family. However, doing so while your divorce is ongoing is very risky and certain posts may hurt your case. There are many benefits to deactivating your social media during divorce and below are the top three.
Social Media Posts are Part of Discovery
The discovery process is a very common part of many divorce cases in Columbus. During discovery, each side can ask the other for information to see what evidence the other party is going to use against them. Your social media posts can be included as part of discovery and your spouse’s attorney will likely scour your timelines looking for posts to use against you. For example, you may have posted a picture three months ago of you having cocktails with friends. Your spouse’s attorney may find it and use it to argue that you have a drinking problem, even though that is not true.
This is why it is so important to actually deactivate your account instead of just not being active on your timeline. When you deactivate your account, it is essentially gone and no one can find it. This will prevent your spouse or their lawyer from using past posts against you.
Protection from Your Friends’ Posts
It is easy to assume that if you do not post anything on social media, nothing can be used against you. Unfortunately, that is not true. You have control over what you post online, but you cannot control what your friends post. If they post something about you and tag you in it, the post will show up on your timeline. It can then be obtained by your spouse or their lawyer and used against you in child custody matters or other hearings. People are unable to tag you when you deactivate your social media account, which is why this is a better option than simply not posting.
Preservation of Evidence
You may think that deleting your social media account is even better than just deactivating it. Unfortunately, that is not true. Although you can deactivate your account so the evidence is not easily found, you cannot destroy evidence. If you delete your social media accounts, it may be viewed as an attempt to destroy evidence, which would also hurt you in your case. Before you delete an account entirely, speak to a Columbus family lawyer who can advise on your case.
Our Family Lawyers in Columbus Can Provide Sound Legal Advice
The steps you take during a divorce can greatly help your case and significantly hurt it. At Lawrence Law Office, our Columbus family lawyers will ensure your rights and best interests are protected so you can obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve. Call us now at (614) 228-3798 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
