It goes without saying that divorce is an emotional time. The same can also be said about child custody disputes. Given how people can express their frustrations to thousands of people at the push of a button, it may seem like it’s a no-brainer to avoid social media when a person is upset.
Unfortunately, the Internet is full of “I wish I had that Tweet (or Post) back.”
It’s not like these people suddenly had a change of heart, or had a quick epiphany the second after they hit “send.” Rather, they probably experienced the repercussions of saying disparaging things over social media outlets.
Divorcing parties and people experiencing custody issues can avoid this trap. The first rule of family law etiquette is to stay away from social media. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to give up Facebook or Twitter cold turkey, but the less time you are on social media outlets, the less of a chance you will say something you will regret later.
Also, the chances are reduced that a lawyer will use such statements against you. A survey conducted by the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers found that Facebook and Twitter are virtual treasure troves for incriminating information to be used in divorces. Moreover, what is posted online is permanent. It can still be found even if the page is deleted or taken down.
That said, staying away from social media can limit exposure to unanticipated problems, and help in maintaining one’s credibility. If you have questions about how to handle problematic posts, an experienced family law attorney can help
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Source: HuffingtonPost.com, Divorce and online dating: A match made in court?, March 9, 2013