If you are facing a divorce, your social media activity could come back to haunt you in court. In fact, according to a recent study from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 57 percent of divorce cases involve evidence reflecting a party’s “Relationship Status” used online. Of those cases using social media statuses in evidence, 64 percent used information found in Match.com profiles. Here are some tips to help prevent your social media activity from turning into divorce evidence:
- Don’t disparage your ex — It may be tempting to rant about your ex in a Facebook status. If your comment is false, however, it could result in legal action separate and apart from the divorce (e.g. a libel action). Even if it is true, it could cause the judge to view you in a negative light during the legal proceedings. If you feel that you absolutely need to discuss your ex, write your feelings in a diary or speak to a close friend or relative.
- Don’t post about partying — During a divorce, many people cope by going out to bars and nightclubs. If you have a social media account, you might be tempted to post pictures or status updates about your new lifestyle. Unfortunately, your ex could use this as evidence of a substance abuse problem or unfit parenting. This has the potential to negatively affect your custody rights in a divorce.
- Be truthful about children — Many people use online profiles to get back into the dating scene after a divorce. If you participate in online dating sites, make sure you are honest about your children. If you erroneously state that you have no children, this dishonesty could hurt you when the court decides the issue of child custody.
If you are facing a divorce, you need an experienced North Shore divorce lawyer. Call our office today to schedule a meeting with a dedicated family attorney.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Paul Chatzky is fluent in Spanish and English, enabling him to effectively represent a wider range of individuals and families. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed among Illinois Super Lawyers, which is a reflection of his high ethical standards and exceptional legal knowledge. As a…
Prior to joining the firm as a paralegal, Debbie was employed by major banking institutions as a loan processor and as an executive secretary. Debbie was also employed as an administrative assistant for the Board of Jewish Education. Having majored in Sociology, Debbie graduated from the University of Florida in 1980. Debbie completed her studies…
-
5.0/5.0Paul Chatzky is well educated, knows in and outs in terms of law, keeps everything under control, responds to emails, returns phone calls almost immediately. Very professional and extremely detail-oriented lawyer. Highly recommended.
-
5.0/5.0
Mr. Chatzky is very responsive, ethical and effective. I’m extremely happy with the service and I would highly recommend this law office to anyone seeking legal help
-
5.0/5.0
Mr. Chatzky is truly superb at his job. His knowledge base is profound, and he approached my situation with honesty and integrity. I knew immediately that he had every intention to obtain the best outcome for me and that he had thought of every possi...
-
5.0/5.0
I highly recommend Paul Chatzky as a high capable and honest attorney who genuinely cares about his clients and is highly committed to supporting their best interests. He lived up to the high expectations that I had and was willing as hard as me to m...
-
5.0/5.0
Paul Chatzky is always very responsive, professional, and a pleasure to work with.
