Ever since MySpace and Facebook launched on the Internet, an ever growing amount of the population has turned to social media to share everything from pictures to status updates. Even here at Minick Law, P.C. in Gastonia, NC, we use a variety of social media websites and applications to connect with prospective, current, and past clients. However, with this rampant use of social media, how much sharing is too much? Specifically, how can social media affect my divorce?
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These same privacy problems found in social media apply to divorce proceedings. Divorce is a highly stressful and, often, emotionally unstable time which can lead to statements-through pictures, posts, or shares-being made without appropriate consideration of their consequences. Most of the time people take their stress or anger to social media platforms and post negative messages about their spouse. Unfortunately, this information is not private and can be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence is especially harmful to you in separation agreements and child custody cases.
Social media has also become an effective tool for divorce lawyers to gather evidence of affairs (or some other kind of infidelity) by one of the spouses. Friends lists on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter, pictures on Snapchat, visits to certain profiles on the Internet or physical places-all these can be tracked and used as incriminating evidence that you are cheating on your spouse.
As it can be seen, the use of social media can produce a lot of information that an individual may not want to become public. Because of this, you should adopt the attitude that everything and anything you post on the Internet could one day show up at any time - especially in court. As such, when going through a divorce, you should generally avoid posting anything relating to your divorce or your spouse as it may negatively affect your case.
Social media is, as its title suggests, social and, therefore, intended to be public. Many people believe that their profiles and accounts are protected in some way. This is simply not the case. In general, any information you post or share on most social media platforms is public information. In fact, the Terms of Use on most platforms explain that information shared there is not yours to own and is not considered private.
These same privacy problems found in social media apply to divorce proceedings. Divorce is a highly stressful and, often, emotionally unstable time which can lead to statements-through pictures, posts, or shares-being made without appropriate consideration of their consequences. Most of the time people take their stress or anger to social media platforms and post negative messages about their spouse. Unfortunately, this information is not private and can be found, saved, and later brought up in court. This evidence is especially harmful to you in separation agreements and child custody cases.
Social media has also become an effective tool for divorce lawyers to gather evidence of affairs (or some other kind of infidelity) by one of the spouses. Friends lists on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter, pictures on Snapchat, visits to certain profiles on the Internet or physical places-all these can be tracked and used as incriminating evidence that you are cheating on your spouse.
As it can be seen, the use of social media can produce a lot of information that an individual may not want to become public. Because of this, you should adopt the attitude that everything and anything you post on the Internet could one day show up at any time - especially in court. As such, when going through a divorce, you should generally avoid posting anything relating to your divorce or your spouse as it may negatively affect your case.
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Looking to find answers to your Divorce, then visit www.minicklaw.com to find the best advice on Gastonia Divorce Law for you.
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