Social Media & Divorce: 3 Posts That Can Hurt Your Ex's Case

Social media has become a large part of the average American's life in the past decade, so there's no surprise that certain social media habits can come back to haunt ex-spouses in divorce battles. Below are three types of social media posts that your ex may post during a divorce and how you can use them to your advantage.

1. Your Ex Posts About Spending Money They Supposedly Don't Have

Money is a common reason that couples divorce, and proper division of assets is a large part of the divorce process.  

If you notice your ex posting about extravagant purchases, vacations, or other such things while claiming to live paycheck to paycheck, they may be hiding their assets in an effort to keep more for themselves. The courts don't take too kindly to hidden assets during a divorce, so if you suspect that your ex is hiding anything from you, it's best to bring this up to your attorney. At this point, your attorney will likely begin a process called "discovery." This process allows your attorney to get to the truth, and failing to provide what's requested or lying under oath can get your ex into a lot of legal trouble.

2. Your Ex Uses their Account to Smear Your Character

It's not unusual for people to use their social media accounts to air their dirty laundry. If you find that your soon-to-be ex is smearing your character on their account, however, you could use this to your advantage.

So, if you discover that your ex is bashing you on social media, what should you do? The most important thing you can do is not respond or engage your ex. You should also immediately print out a screenshot of the post. Posts that include defamation or slander can be used in court to show your ex's true character, and this can have an effect on many of the judge's rulings, such as child custody arrangements.

3. Your Ex Is Elsewhere During Parenting Time

If your ex is checking into the local pub on social media when they're supposed to be spending time with your children, this can be used against them in court. There's nothing wrong with parents needing to take a break every now and then, but if this is a common occurrence, the judge may reconsider giving them the share of custody that they're requesting. When it comes to custody, judges look towards the child's best interests. If the judge feels that your spouse isn't taking their parenting time seriously, they may rule in your favor.

If your ex is committing any of the above-listed offenses, consult with an attorney from a company like Lois Iannone Attorney at Law immediately. While social media posts shouldn't be used to build up your entire divorce case, they can provide the judge a good idea of your ex's character and may prove to be helpful to your case.