Going through a divorce in Miami can be difficult, especially now, as we share our lives on social media. While scrolling through our Facebook or Instagram feed can take our minds off the hardships of a divorce, there are certain social media habits that can make a divorce even more difficult to get through.
Though it’s entirely likely for a divorce to end on good terms without social media accounts being involved, it is always best to take precautions when using social media during a divorce. Florida is a no-fault divorce state, so evidence isn’t necessary for a divorce to be finalized. However, in cases where alimony, child custody, or a restraining order are involved, evidence can be brought forth in court, and some of it can come from social media accounts. Our Brownstone Appeals Lawyers are able to work exclusively on civil and criminal appeals cases and can help you reach your appellate goals. Our appellate lawyers in Miami FL also handle appeals in the Third District Court of Appeals in Florida.
Sharing your feelings or photos of newly made memories with your children on social media during divorce proceedings can bring some needed emotional comfort during difficult moments, but these innocent actions can lead to more agony. Whether or not your social media accounts are set to private, anything you post is public and can be used as evidence against you. This includes direct messages to friends or family who may not be involved in your case.
As you scroll through your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds, here are the main 3 habits to avoid before or during your divorce:
1. Posting pictures
Just because you’re going through a divorce in Miami doesn’t mean you don’t have a life anymore. You’ll likely be tempted to share with your followers or friends through pictures. While posting pictures won’t necessarily hurt your case, it’s best to be cautious with what you post and save it for a #latergram.
Certain kinds of pictures can be used as evidence against you, depending on the specifics of your case. For example, if you have children with your ex, posting an innocent picture of your child can be used to show a lack of parenting ability if your ex is fighting for custody. If you want to post pictures of your children, it is best to come to an agreement with your ex beforehand on how you would both like to handle these types of social media posts.
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In cases where children are not involved, finances may be a point of conflict. If you are getting divorced and you share finances with your spouse (or if you don’t have a prenup), you will also want to watch what you post. Posting pictures of yourself on vacation, buying a new car, house, or making any other large purchases can be used to show misuse of shared funds. Even if you are spending money you earned alone and would normally not be touched by your spouse, he or she may still have a legal right to half of it.
2. Sharing details
Divorces are hard, and you might need a shoulder to lean on or someone to vent to. However, it’s always best to avoid doing that on social media during a divorce. Sharing the details of your divorce on social media, even if it shared in confidence, can be taken out of context and used against you.
Married couples often have friends in common, especially on social media platforms like Facebook. Sharing with Facebook friends often means sharing with mutual friends and not everyone is trustworthy. Friends of both spouses often feel torn between the two and may deflect to one side, sharing private information with the other spouse.
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Like with any legal case, it is best not to share information on your case with anyone who isn’t involved. If you still feel the need to talk to someone, avoid sharing information online and stick to talking to someone in person that you know you can trust.
3. “Friending” your new S/O
It’s common for people to start dating during a divorce in Miami, once they’ve separated from their spouse. In most cases, starting a new relationship in the middle of a divorce isn’t an issue. However, in cases where minor children are involved or a spouse is being accused of cheating, it is best to avoid “friending” a new significant other on social media. While it may not negatively affect the outcome of a case, it saves the new boyfriend/girlfriend from having to testify at the divorce hearing.
Seek Legal Advice
Every Miami divorce case is different, and avoiding these social media habits may not be all you should be avoiding before your hearing. If you’re planning a divorce or have been served with divorce papers, you should seek out legal advice from a Miami family law attorney.
If you need help getting through a divorce, The Aguilera Law Center, P.A., is here to help. Give our office a call today at 305-255-FIRM or contact us online to connect with one of our expert attorneys.