It’s tempting to take to social media when going through an emotional divorce or child custody battle in Connecticut. However, a seemingly innocent Facebook or Twitter post about your ex-partner’s behavior might come back to haunt you. That’s because social media content is admissible evidence in a divorce or child custody proceeding. If your case doesn’t end up in the courtroom, your ex-partner’s legal team can still use any social media post against you—even if what you wrote is true.
Social Media in Divorce/Child Custody Proceedings
Your ex-partner’s attorney can introduce social media evidence in any pending family law case if that evidence is relevant. This can happen if an attorney believes what you wrote is libelous or supports a claim made by your ex-partner. Photos posted on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be just as problematic, and a judge can take into account these photos when making decisions such as the terms of your divorce or granting child custody rights.
Here are some scenarios where social media can land you in trouble:
- Accusing your ex-partner of being a bad parent or guilty of something serious like cruelty, neglect, or adultery, even if you believe that to be true.
- Referring to any previous convictions your ex-partner might have.
- Bringing up any evidence that might sway your family law case or influence its result.
- Calling out a judge or your ex-partner’s attorney on social media.
Although there’s no federal, state, or local law that prevents you from sharing your opinion on the internet, your social media posts can cause considerable fallout in a divorce or child custody proceeding. Your ex-partner might accuse you of being emotionally unstable (and, therefore, unfit to look after your child/children) for posting personal information on the internet, especially if you accuse your ex-partner of some wrongdoing. Moreover, it’s easy for an attorney to spin a social media post and make it seem like you have an agenda or are trying to destroy your ex-partner’s life with ‘negative’ or ‘false’ information. That could cause a divorce or child custody case to go in your ex-partner’s favor.
There are other ramifications for posting about your family law case on social media. If your case goes to court, a judge might look negatively upon you for giving your opinion on the internet and can even accuse you of contempt of court if you disagree with an order or ruling.
How to Prevent Your Partner From Using Your Social Media Against You
There are several steps you can take to prevent your social media posts from being used negatively in your case:
- Don’t talk about your ex-partner’s behavior on social media, even if your ex-partner is making false claims about you on the internet.
- Don’t post any evidence that supports your family law case online, including photos, screengrabs, videos, and audio files.
- Don’t discuss the goings-on or outcome of your family law case, including evidence presented by attorneys or decisions made by a judge in court.
- Don’t talk negatively about a judge or your ex-partner’s attorney.
As a general rule, never share any private information about your case on any social media platform, even if your profile is private and only accessible by friends and family members.
Get Legal Help Before You Post on Social Media
It can be difficult to stay quiet when going through a high-conflict divorce or child custody battle, especially if your ex-partner is making your life miserable. It’s normal to want to share information about your case with friends and family or even tell the world about how your ex-partner is making you feel. However, taking to social media when going through a break-up can have massive consequences, especially if you have children.
Instead of posting on social media, channel your energy elsewhere. Hiring a reputable family law attorney can help you get revenge on an ex-partner by turning a divorce or child custody battle in your favor. You can spend your free time building a case against your ex-partner and convincing a judge that you are the innocent party if your case ends up in court.
Rich Rochlin Law is an award-winning divorce and family law firm in Connecticut that helps you understand alimony, child support, child custody, divorce and separation judgments, and other high-conflict issues. Rich and his talented team provide you with the legal resources you need and help resolve conflict issues constructively. With a focus on compromise and mediation, this Connecticut law firm can solve the challenges associated with divorce and child custody matters.
Final Word
Social media can be a great way to share your opinion with the world. However, posting about your family law case could land you in hot water. Instead of taking to Twitter or Facebook when going through a divorce or child custody fight, consult with a reputable Connecticut law firm.
Rich Rochlin has been practicing law for almost 22 years. Call (860) 357-5003 or click here to learn more.
