Since people can curate their lives via carefully crafted posts and pictures, the appeal of social media is evident. However, pitfalls arise when seemingly innocent social media posts become crucial evidence in a divorce proceeding. Those contemplating divorce should consult with experienced family law lawyers in Temecula to become aware of ways to keep an online personality out of divorce proceedings. Here are some things to consider:
Be Careful About What You Post
There is no such thing as private online messages. During the divorce process, people should bear in mind that everything they posted online or send by messages can be seen. Therefore, people should think twice about everything they share on social media and think what it would look like in a courtroom. Knowing this from the beginning is key because the moment something is posted on social media, it can be captured by anyone through a screenshot, making all attempts to delete the post later futile.
Consulting with a family lawyer as soon as a divorce is contemplated can help mitigate former posts making an appearance in the courtroom. Until then, the best course of action is to keep social media interaction to a minimum.
Change Passwords
Change the passwords associated with all social media accounts as soon as possible. In many cases, people have shared their password with their significant other due to shared trust. That can turn into a disaster as the other party can pose as the other online and cause potential damage to one’s reputation. Consider using a different password for each social media platform you use, and make each something that would be difficult to guess.
Don’t Delete the Accounts
A family lawyer may advise their client to refrain from actually deleting their social media accounts. Since an online life is subject to discovery, deleting the accounts might be seen as destroying evidence. As an alternative, deactivating the online profile can keep posts away from curious eyes, but the accounts are still there if needed by the former spouse’s counsel. This will reduce the chances of trouble, and after the divorce is final, plug back into social media with the photos and posts intact.
Going through a divorce is a difficult matter, no matter what the circumstances. Hiring trusted family law lawyers in Temecula is the first step to moving forward. The Law Office of Michelle Penna can minimize some of the pressure. For more information, visit the website.
