Treading lightly through technology during a divorce

On Behalf of | Apr 14, 2017 | divorce |

There may be few times when others scrutinize your actions more carefully than when you are going through a divorce, especially if the divorce is expected to be contentious. However, even if you and your spouse are moving toward an amicable separation, that situation can quickly turn adversarial if you use your social media to vent your emotions.

There is no doubt that divorce is emotional. It is also a time when you must make crucial decisions, and those decisions may impact you for the rest of your life. This is why, despite the fact that you may feel the need to get some things off your chest, experts recommend that you refrain from using your digital devices to do so.

Controlling your digital footprint

Because technology has become such a natural part of life, you may not even realize how often you use it and how accurately it reflects your thoughts and actions. Any form of technology you use may become part of your divorce proceedings, and hasty or emotional words or actions may return to haunt you if taken out of context. Consider, for example, how a court may interpret your latest activity in the following areas:

  • Text messages
  • GPS
  • Email
  • Phone calls
  • Internet searches
  • Social media posts

While it may have seemed harmless or even satisfying at the time, careless actions during a divorce have seriously affected many couples. Technology often influences court decisions regarding child custody, spousal support and other crucial issues.

Your social media image

Many people may view social media, and advisors suggest considering those people and their reactions before posting. For example, since deleted internet postings rarely disappear completely, your children may stumble across them. The parents of your children’s friends may also see the posts, which could create uncomfortable or painful situations for your children. You may also look back on those posts in the future and regret the haste with which you posted them.

Psychologists understand the need people have to express their emotions when going through a difficult time like a divorce. However, many counselors recommend face-to-face interaction rather than using social media. Not only does this provide genuine support, it protects you from making a mistake by posting an emotional rant that may feel good at the time, but could potentially do a great deal of harm.

Your attorney can also provide you with solid advice as you proceed with your divorce. One of the benefits of having a lawyer is that you will be able to rely on his or her experience and counsel to keep you focused on resolving the issues at hand without allowing emotions to cloud your judgment. This will make it more likely that you will achieve a more positive outcome and come through this difficult time with integrity.