Social media; you either love it or you hate it. But regardless of your personal opinions on the matter, social media will have a major effect on your divorce case. How you handle your individual accounts will help to determine if social media will be your friend, or foe, during divorce.
Social Profiles Spell Disaster for Marriages
Believe it or not, researchers have found that social media use can lead to divorce. In a study conducted by universities in Boston and Chile, researchers found that there is a direct correlation between social networking use and marriage quality.
The amount of time spent on social media isn’t the only reason why the platforms may spell disaster for your relationship. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat can be a catalyst for infidelity and jealousy. The temptation to have an affair can be strong if your marriage is already strained, and these platforms make it easier to stray.
Social Media and Hidden Assets
Social media is changing the legal landscape. In addition to being cited as a reason why couples file for divorce, it can also be used as evidence during your case. This rings especially true if one spouse suspects that their ex is hiding marital assets.
Hidden assets often surface during the discovery phase of divorce. Most users won’t list their income in their profiles, but they will post photos of vacations or expensive purchases. These photos will be used as evidence of additional assets, which usually results in a higher net worth. And, of course, a higher net worth impacts every aspect of divorce, especially child support and equitable distribution.
Successfully proving that assets are being hidden or squandered away is not easy, and requires the expertise of a seasoned divorce attorney. Luckily, we have experience successfully uncovering hidden assets by auditing an opposing party’s personal and business networking accounts.
Tips for Using Social Media
It’s hard to avoid social media all together, even during heated divorce actions. How can you play it smart, while still keeping an active social media presence?
- Double check your privacy settings- make sure your profiles are friends only.
- Change your passwords, so your ex won’t be able to log into your accounts.
- Avoid posting pictures or updates that your ex can use to make a judge think you are a bad parent.
- Never cyber stalk your ex, their new partner, or family members.
- Remember: the internet is permanent. Use common sense. If you have to second guess whether or not you should post, don’t do it.
We know that social media plays a prominent role in your day-to-day life, but that doesn’t mean it needs to negatively impact on your divorce. Be smart about your online presence during the course of your action, and hire an attorney to handle the rest of the case for you.
Social media is a very powerful tool, which can be helpful if harnessed correctly. For more information on divorce in New York, contact Brian D. Perskin & Associates P.C. today!