Using Social Media Information in Divorce Proceedings
Divorce cases are now using social media sites to find evidence to use against spouses during divorce proceedings.

January 12, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Using Social Media Information in Divorce Proceedings

Social media sites seem to be infiltrating society at an ever-growing rate. More people are using sites such as Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Twitter and Tumblr to share their lives with all of their online connections instantaneously. Because people share so much information on these sites, divorce lawyers have begun to use the information and photographs that others post in divorceproceedings.

Judge Ordered Password Swap

In one notable example, a judge overseeing a divorce case in Connecticut ordered both the husband and wife to exchange passwords for all social media and dating sites to which they belonged. The husband had previously seen some information on the computer he and his wife shared and asked for her passwords to her other social networking sites in a deposition.

Common Uses of Social Media Information in Divorce

While giving each side unfettered access to the other's social media accounts may seem a bit extreme, information that people find on social media sites is showing up with more frequency in divorce proceedings. Many family law attorneys caution their clients to be very careful about what they post, since everything they put on the internet can be scrutinized. Some attorneys go so far as to recommend their clients delete all social media accounts during divorce proceedings. It is not uncommon for attorneys and private investigators to look for damaging information about the other party on social media sites.

For example, many people post pictures of themselves on social media sites. People can use these pictures in a variety of ways in a divorce proceeding. One spouse could refute the other spouse's claims of not having enough money to pay spousal support if the spouse has pictures of him or herself on an expensive vacation or driving a new car. Additionally, pictures showing a parent drinking excessively or using drugs can be damaging when a judge needs to decide who gets custody of children.

Even statements that people post online can come back to haunt them. Those who update their status on Facebook or MySpace with negative posts about the other spouse or the divorce proceedings in general may find those comments in evidence in their divorce hearings. Similarly, if they allow friends to post such comments on their personal social media sites, the effect could be similar.

Social media is permeating society in ways that few people could have imagined a decade ago. One of the areas into which social media is spilling is the courtroom and people's divorce proceedings. If you are going through a divorce, consider contacting an experienced divorce lawyer who can help advise you about your situation.

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