With technology becoming more and more prevalent, social media and divorce cases are more intertwined now than ever before. Nowadays, digital evidence in divorce cases can have a significant impact either for you or against you, drastically altering the outcome of your divorce.
Are you wondering how social media mistakes during a divorce can impact your case and how you can avoid them? If so, check out this article, where we will be discussing the role of online activity in divorce cases and the common mistakes you need to be aware of.
The Role of Social Media in Divorce Cases
Ohio divorce courts now use online activity as evidence when it comes to divorce cases. Things like social media posts, comments, and even private messages can now be used as evidence for building a case and showcasing behaviors and characteristics. Because of this, even things that may seem perfectly innocent could be misinterpreted and used against you during your divorce case.
Certain things that can be used against you include pictures of lavish spending, such as vacations or luxury purchases. Additionally, things like derogatory statements about your spouse or other negative comments or messages can also be used against you.
One of the dangers of social media in divorce cases is that anything posted online is there forever. Even if posts or messages are deleted, they can usually be recovered or saved and can still be presented as evidence during a divorce.
In fact, the more you try to hide or delete your social media presence, the more suspicious it may end up looking. You don’t necessarily want to give the impression that you are trying to hide something from the divorce court.
Legal Consequences of Social Media Activity
Now that you know how social media can be used in a divorce case in Ohio, what are the potential legal consequences of this? It is easy to view your online activity as something that is non-consequential but the reality is that this can have a significant impact on the outcome of your divorce.
Here are some examples of how you’re online activity can be interpreted by the divorce court:
- Evidence of behavior: Online activity can be used as evidence of behavior when it comes to proving things like lavish spending, abuse, irresponsible behavior, or infidelity.
- Financial disclosure: During divorce cases, both spouses are required to be upfront about their finances so that they can be divided fairly. Social media and online activity can be used to show that a spouse is potentially hiding assets or lying about their financial situation.
- Child custody: If a child is involved in the divorce, the online presence of both spouses can be used to determine the more responsible parent. For example, online activity can be used to show reckless or inappropriate behavior that could potentially influence custody decisions.
If you are getting a divorce in Ohio, you need to hire an Ohio divorce attorney to help you build your case and protect your best interests. In the day of modern technology, this is even more necessary as you never know what your spouse may try to bring up in divorce court.
Best Practices for Social Media Use During Divorce
When you are in the middle of a divorce case, it is best to limit your activity on social media as much as possible. At the very least, you should avoid posting anything regarding your relationship or the divorce. You should also avoid interacting with your spouse via social media.
It can be helpful to adjust your privacy settings so that only certain people are able to view your social media accounts. Doing this can help you restrict your spouse’s access to your accounts so that they cannot try to use your social media presence against you.
Overall, if you have any questions or concerns about your social media presence and your divorce case, you should consult a divorce lawyer in Ohio. A divorce attorney can advise you on what you should and shouldn’t do to protect your best interests. This is especially important for divorce cases involving children, as your online presence could negatively impact your child custody arrangements.
Another thing to keep in mind is that social media isn’t the only thing that can be used against you in a divorce case. Any type of online activity can be tracked, documented, and presented as evidence against you by your spouse. This includes things like private text messages, or phone calls that you may have exchanged with your spouse or other people involved in the situation.
FAQ Section
Can social media posts be used as evidence in Ohio divorce cases?
Yes, Ohio divorce courts will consider social media posts as evidence in most divorce cases.
Will deleting my social media accounts protect me?
Anything online can be saved or recovered, so deleting your social media accounts will not necessarily protect you. In fact, this may actually look suspicious, which could hurt your divorce case.
How can my ex use my social media against me?
Your ex-spouse can use anything that you have posted, shared, or commented on against you during divorce proceedings. Even if you delete your online activity, it may be able to be recovered, or your ex-spouse may have taken screenshots of things like social media posts and messages.
Should I discuss my divorce case online?
You should never discuss an active divorce case online, as this will almost always reflect poorly on you. Even after the divorce is finalized, it is best to avoid discussing these personal details online, especially if there are children involved.
Hire a Divorce Attorney in Ohio
When you are getting a divorce in Ohio, you need to be very careful about what you post online and you need to take the additional step of hiring an attorney. Richard P. Arthur, Attorney at Law, has extensive experience handling divorce cases in Ohio and can help you with every step of your divorce case. To move forward with your divorce case, contact us today at 937-254-3738 for a free consultation.