Social Media Concerns During California Divorce
For most people, social media has become a part of daily life. Checking Facebook or Instagram during a lunch break and interacting on other social media platforms may be something you don’t think twice about. However, going through a divorce or custody dispute can put a different spin on it all. In some cases, your online life may be used against you in the courtroom.
I am Morna G. Challoner and I have dedicated my legal career to the practice of family law. At Challoner Law, I provide caring and capable family law guidance to clients in Santa Rosa and the surrounding areas of California. Drawing on many years of practice and a deep understanding of the issues families face, I provide thoughtful legal advice designed to protect your interests during your divorce. This includes advising you on using social media wisely.
Texts, Tweets And Posts Can Be Helpful
As a divorce attorney, there have been times when I have been able to uncover clients’ contact information through social media sites when I had no other way to reach them. This enabled me to provide the service they required.
Another benefit of social media is that it can allow you to connect with a wide support group of friends and family members. This is often particularly helpful for those who feel lost and alone during the divorce process. Connecting with others through social media is a powerful way to cope with stress.
How Social Media Can Be Used Against You
Your personal Facebook page, your text messages, your Snapchat photos and other online interactions can potentially be used against you as evidence of the following:
- How you treat your children (which can affect custody)
- How you spend money from joint bank accounts (which can affect the division of property)
- How you are intentionally underemployed (which can affect child support)
Unfortunately, the dangers of texting, tweeting and posting during divorce often greatly outweigh the benefits. The fact is that “private” accounts aren’t really private and what you say online can easily make it into the courtroom.
Consult A Santa Rosa Divorce Attorney About Your Social Media
As a Santa Rosa divorce lawyer, I provide legal guidance and advice for clients in Sonoma County and the surrounding communities. If you have questions about how you or your spouse’s social media activity might be influencing your divorce, you can schedule an appointment.
You can reach me by calling 707-362-8209 or by sending me a message through my online form. I look forward to answering your questions and telling you more about how I can help you with your divorce or child custody issue.