With social media playing such a significant role in our current culture and our lives, it is no surprise it has crept its way into the family law arena. Users have many options with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumbler, and Snap Chat all available to showcase your life. Social media can be a positive tool that connects old friends, shares life milestones, and informs consumers. In the family law context, it can sometimes be the best way for a parent involved in a custody case to communicate with his or her teenage child. However, there can be several downfalls to social media as well. Unflattering pictures can be posted publicly and mud in the form of status updates can be flung. Let this article serve as a guide for what to do and what not to do when it comes to social media.
- DO: Share positive photos and life updates.
- DON’T: Overshare or post negative status updates that are aimed to hurt your ex-spouse or co-parent.
- DO: Post updates about your children – their accomplishments, first day of school, recitals, graduations.
- DON’T: Post updates about your case or what happened in court.
- DO: Post about a charity you are supporting and request donations
- DON’T: Incriminate yourself by posting about a designer shopping spree or new large purchase in the middle of a financial court battle.
Going through a divorce is tough and you certainly need an outlet. But, that does not mean you should use social media in such a way that it negatively impacts your family court matter. If you really cannot avoid posting, the simple solution is to deactivate your profiles. If that is not an option for you, contact our attorneys at Martine, Katz Scanlon & Schimmel, P.A. to discuss how to best navigate your case successfully in our digital world.