Can Social Media Affect Your Divorce In Texas?

These days, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are intertwined with our daily lives. They reflect our personal experiences, emotions, and activities and help us keep up with friends and family members. However, if you’re going through a divorce, your social media channels can complicate matters tremendously. They may affect custody of your children or how much spousal support you receive. 

Before you post anything on social media during your divorce, you should understand the long-term consequences you might face. 

Social Media and Divorce in Texas

Like in many states, divorce laws in Texas can be complex. Evidence plays a pivotal role in highly contentious or high net-worth cases, especially regarding issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support. Social media has become a significant source of such evidence. It’s essential for individuals going through a divorce to be aware of how the divorce courts might perceive their online behavior.

In divorce cases, evidence from social media can take many forms – from incriminating posts and messages to photographs and location check-ins. For instance, a post that suggests infidelity or pictures that contradict statements about financial hardship can have significant divorce implications. It’s not uncommon for divorce lawyers to scrutinize social media accounts to build a case for their clients. For example, a spouse claiming inability to pay spousal support might be contradicted by their posts showcasing a brand new car or a trip to Bali.

Impact on Child Custody and Support

Social media can significantly influence court decisions regarding child custody and support during a divorce. The court’s primary concern is the best interest of the child. When determining child support and custody, the court will scrutinize various factors to determine which parent is better suited for primary custody and how much support is necessary for the child’s well-being.

Posts that depict irresponsible behavior, such as excessive partying or substance abuse, can raise serious concerns about a parent’s ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their child. For instance, pictures or check-ins at clubs or parties, especially when they are responsible for the child, can be used as evidence of neglect or irresponsibility.

Social media can also expose inconsistencies in a parent’s financial declarations. A parent claiming financial hardship in court but who simultaneously posts pictures of expensive purchases, vacations, or outings can undermine their credibility. This can lead to adjustments in child support calculations. The court seeks to ensure that child support reflects the true financial capacity of each parent to maintain fairness and the child’s welfare.

Protecting Yourself and Your Privacy During Your Divorce

Now that you know how social media might get used against you during your divorce, it’s time to take action and protect yourself. Remember, every comment, image, or share can be misinterpreted or used against you. It’s crucial to understand that what you post online can reflect on your character and credibility in the eyes of the court.

Start protecting yourself and your privacy by reviewing and adjusting your social media privacy settings. Limit who can see your posts and personal information to reduce the likelihood of your social media activity becoming an issue in your divorce. This means setting profiles to private, restricting who can tag you in posts, and being cautious about new friend requests, as they could be from individuals seeking information.

Before sharing anything on social media, consider how it might be perceived during your divorce. Ask yourself if the post could be misconstrued or used to question your character, financial situation, or parenting ability. If there’s any doubt, it’s safer not to post.

It is essential to consult with a divorce attorney before deleting any posts or social media pictures. Deleting social media posts during a divorce can be risky. It might be interpreted as an attempt to hide evidence or misrepresent your situation, which can have legal repercussions. This act could be seen as tampering with evidence, potentially harming your case and credibility.

An experienced Houston divorce lawyer can provide tailored advice on managing your social media presence during a divorce. They can offer guidance on what types of posts to avoid, how to handle existing posts, and how to protect your online privacy. 

Contact Our Experienced Houston Divorce Lawyers Today

Before you post anything to social media during your divorce, discuss the consequences with your attorney. An experienced Houston divorce attorney at Moving Forward Divorce Lawyers can meet with you to discuss your future and help you avoid making critical mistakes with social media during your divorce. 

Call us at 713-589-4748 or fill out our confidential contact form to learn more about your legal options. We can work with you to help you untangle your lives and move forward into your future. Call us today, and let’s talk!

Renae Mundis

Renae is a native of Pennsylvania and the middle child of five girls. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado, Boulder before entering the military as an officer in the Ordnance Corps. After separating from the military, Renae raised her two oldest boys for ten years before returning to the University of Denver where she earned her law degree in 2012. Renae is licensed to practice in the states of Colorado, Kentucky, and Texas. Renae has practiced criminal law as a public defender in Colorado, criminal and family law in her firm in Colorado, and now family law as part of our firm at Moving Forward Divorce Lawyers. When she’s not busy raising her two youngest boys, Renae enjoys jogging, mountain biking, gardening, and boating. Renae is a bit of a foodie and loves to dabble in gourmet cooking. Read more here.