The month of January usually leads to a noticeable increase in divorce filings. People who are unhappy in their marriage and want to fully embrace the idea of starting the new year with a major life change will initiate divorce proceedings. In fact, some attorneys call the first business day in January “divorce day” because of the large increase in inquiries from adults considering divorce. While filing for a divorce in January may be the first step in changing your life, if you fail to stay off of social media throughout the proceedings, your new year divorce can promptly turn into a year of disappointment or disaster.

Thinking Before Posting is Hard When Stressed

Most people balk at the idea of completely avoiding social media for any reason, leading to a number of professionals expressing concern about the possibility of social media addiction. Instead they plan to limit their posts, restrict who can see their social media activity, and otherwise stay out of online trouble. Unfortunately, once the gloves come off and your divorce gets nasty, being able to stop yourself from posting status updates or comments influenced by rage or hurt becomes difficult. A person who is stressed out may experience poor impulse control, making him or her more vulnerable to the repercussions of ill-thought-out social media posts.

The Temptation to Agree with Those Insulting Your Spouse or Judge is Strong

Everyone in litigation is warned by their attorneys or those close to their case to avoid bad mouthing or insulting their spouse or anyone else involved in the case. While many will comply with that request, they might not refrain from encouraging others to do the same thing. When friends or family members start insulting your spouse or bad mouthing the judge for an unfavorable decision, it is normal to post a comment thanking them, agreeing with them, or to simply “like” their post. Doing so could make others believe that you fully agree with their stance or are trying to encourage others to say what you feel unable to.

Privacy Settings are Not Foolproof

Just because you think your social media profile is private does not mean it actually is. Posting one item publically on certain sites like Facebook often causes subsequent posts to be shared publicly also. If you are not paying attention, you could accidently share your private and damaging thoughts with the world. Also, not everyone who can view your posts when they are private are as trustworthy as you would like to believe. Once your words are saved in a screenshot and shared with the world, there is little you can do about it.

When in Doubt, Ask

Staying off social media is not always easy, especially when you use social media to help market your business or professional services. The best way to protect yourself from damaging your case is to discuss your situation with an experienced divorce attorney. Asking an attorney about whether or not you should post something before posting it helps avoid seriously damaging mistakes. The attorneys at Vayman & Teitelbaum are here to provide you with the legal advice and direction you need. Contact us today at one of our four Atlanta, Georgia area locations so that we can help you navigate your divorce.