Social media and divorce can be a messy combination
Chicago residents who are facing an impending divorce should approach social media with caution for the duration of the proceedings.
Getting a divorce is never an easy proposition. Even when both spouses agree on how to divvy up their assets and liabilities, there are still many emotional aspects of a divorce to deal with. The addition of kids in a divorce further complicates a divorce. In today’s online world, Chicago spouses actually have yet another thing with which to contend and that is social media.
What goes online stays online
It is very easy to post something to a social media site. Removing it, however, is a different thing. Simply deleting a post from a primary view does not really ensure that it is gone. Deleted posts may still be detectable by some means. In addition, posts could have been shared and seen by many people even before they were deleted. This should always be kept in people’s minds.
Opening doors for suspicion
Forbes explains that online posts may open up questions that spur an opposing spouse to investigate things that may otherwise have been left alone. This can include certain bank accounts being reviewed in great depth if one spouse believes that assets may be hidden. For example, photos of extravagant trips can give the impression that one person has access to funds that might surpass what have been disclosed.
Protecting kids
Social posts can be seen by a variety of people and eventually be shown to children of the divorcing parents or to the children’s friends or even teachers and coaches. Depending upon the nature of the posts, this may be embarrassing or hurtful to kids who are already struggling with their parents’ divorce. The Huffington Post notes that this is just one more reason to be cautious with social media during a divorce.
Messaging another concern
In addition to public posts, many social platforms allow private messaging between connected users. These are another avenue via which information can be misinterpreted or seen by the wrong people. Fox Business adds that text messages are another form of communication that should be used with care by divorcing spouses.
What spouses should know
CNBC reports that many couples today are creating social media prenuptial agreements to protect them if they ever get divorced. People already married without such agreements should discuss their situations with an attorney. Learning what type of information can be used against them in a divorce is an important part of making it successfully through a divorce in Illinois.