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Facebook and Social Media Effects on Divorce

Facebook and other forms of social media are part of many people's lives. If you are separated from your spouse, contemplating a divorce or going through a divorce, you should give some thought to what you post online. Facebook, Twitter accounts, MySpace, LinkedIn, YouTube, blogs and many social media sites are accessible by virtually anyone. What you say online and in Internet communications could potentially backfire on you in divorce proceedings.

A Methuen divorce lawyer from DiBella Law Offices, P.C., can talk to you about social media and how your actions online could potentially harm your divorce settlement — or at least make negotiations more difficult. If you are looking for a skilled divorce attorney who can answer your questions about all elements of your case, contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

Think Before You Post Anything Online

Our divorce attorney can offer you guidance about your online interactions. If you have second thoughts about posting something, trust your instincts. Here are a few things to think about:

  • Updating your Facebook status: Be mindful of what you say when you update your Facebook status. If you don't want a judge to hear it, don't say it. As hard as it may be to not say negative comments about the other party, refrain. As difficult a day you may be having with your kids, don't say it.
  • Posting pictures: Try not to overshare when you are posting pictures, and be careful of how you portray yourself as a parent in pictures.
  • Checking in places: Friends can check you into places without your knowledge. You can disable this on your Facebook account — a good idea if you would like your whereabouts to be kept private.
  • Relationship status: If you are not yet divorced but have started dating again, do not post that you are "in a relationship."
  • Accepting friend requests: Did you get a friend request from someone you don't know? Be careful. It could be someone trying to obtain access to your information and activities during divorce proceedings.
  • Gaming: If you play a lot of Mafia Wars, Farmville or other Facebook games, just know that this information can be viewed by the judge and potentially used against you.

When in doubt, leave it off of Facebook and other social media sites. Once it is online, it can be misconstrued — a fun night out with friends could turn into a drinking problem, too much time playing Farmville could turn into a parent who doesn't pay attention to their kids, an innocent status update about shopping could turn into a person who wants to ruin the other party in property settlement negotiations.

And remember: check your privacy settings. You may even want to ask your close friends — the people who you interact with and spend time with in real life — to do the same.

Contact a Methuen Divorce Attorney

DiBella Law Offices, P.C., can look out for your best interests during the challenging times of a divorce. To schedule your free initial consultation with our attorney, call us toll free at 877-556-6821 or contact our Boston, Massachusetts, law firm online.

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