Social media helps people maintain connections despite large geographic distances, and disseminate information quickly. Most people have acclimated to social media as part of their daily lives at this point. They may check in on a variety of different platforms throughout the day.
Social media use can connect people with resources and emotional support while they go through difficult times. It is natural for those preparing for family law litigation to turn to social media to air their grievances, learn about the process and notify their inner circle of the major changes in their circumstances.
While social media can offer catharsis and emotional support for those preparing for family law proceedings, how people use social media can be a complicating factor in a family law matter. People generally need to be aware of how their social media behavior could influence a family law case.
Anything on social media could be evidence
Social media gives people the illusion of privacy. They can send direct or private messages. They can join private groups to discuss medical challenges or hobbies. Nothing that people share on social media is actually private. Even posts or messages that people delete are still available in many cases.
Lawyers can request records from social media companies during the discovery process of a legal matter. Anything that people say, including unsavory jokes or seemingly threatening messages, could end up used as evidence during a family law dispute.
Generally speaking, avoiding discussions of pending legal matters online is in the best interest of the people facing legal issues. Many people choose to completely cease using social media while navigating legal matters.
Individuals who avoid the misuse of social media during family law matters may be able to glean evidence from others’ profiles. Messages, posts and comments from the other people involved in a family law matter could raise questions about their character or intentions.
Content shared online could corroborate claims of harassment or allegations of substance abuse. People seeking to obtain sole custody of a child or divorce might benefit from requesting social media records as they prepare for a hearing in family court.
People who are aware of the risks of social media when facing legal matters can avoid scenarios where their sense of humor or unusual social relationships negatively affect the outcome of their case. A person’s online presence can have a real-world impact on family law cases. An experienced divorce lawyer can provide guidance on how to navigate family law with social media as safely as possible.