Tips for Using Social Media During Your Illinois Divorce

 Posted on March 17, 2021 in Divorce and Family Law

It is difficult to imagine life before the Internet or social media. Information that used to be found in libraries can now be found on a computer or phone with the click of a button. Sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. Many individuals find them an ideal way to keep in touch with family or friends who may live far away since they can post photographs and videos of themselves or their kids. Watching a soccer game or musical performance online can be a good substitution if someone cannot be there in person, especially this past year due to coronavirus restrictions. Although there are many benefits of social media, there can be negatives, too, especially if a couple is going through a divorce. In some cases, posts or comments made on a website can be used as evidence in legal proceedings such as asset division, spousal maintenance, or child custody.

Think Before Posting

Connecting with others electronically has become even more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual visits through video conferencing apps or SnapChat and TikTok allow people who are staying at home the ability to stay in touch with loved ones who they cannot see in person. With more time on their hands, people have turned to social media sites to pass the time. However, it is important to be careful about what is posted if you are going through a divorce, as certain things can be misinterpreted and used against you.

Consider these tips regarding social media use while your marriage is ending:

• Change online passwords. If you and your spouse share access to certain online accounts, including social media sites, you should change your passwords or create your own private account. That way, you update the settings to private so only certain people can see what you post.
• Keep any disagreements private. Do not post or vent about arguments or disputes you are having with your soon-to-be-ex online. You do not need your children or family members seeing disparaging comments about your spouse if they are surfing the Internet. The transition will be challenging enough without it being broadcasted to the world wide web and then having other people giving their input by making comments.
• Do not post incriminating information. Be careful about what you put out there. A fun evening out with friends can seem harmless enough, but it is possible a photograph can be taken out of context. For example, if you are toasting to a promotion or new job, your spouse may try to paint the picture that you are an alcoholic and unfit to parent. This can affect a variety of child-related issues in your divorce, including parenting time and custody decisions. Similarly, if you post a picture of a new car you bought or an expensive trip you took, your spouse can challenge any spousal maintenance orders.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyer

Just because you can put almost anything online these days does not mean that you should. If you are going through a divorce, a reputable DuPage County family law attorney from Stock, Carlson & Duff, LLC can protect your rights during negotiations with your spouse. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience in all family law matters, including contentious divorces. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 630-665-2500.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2087&ChapterID=59