How Social Media Can Destroy Your Family Law Case in Ontario!

How Social Media Can Destroy Your Family Law Case in Ontario!

How many times have you written a social media post on Facebook, Twitter, Instragram or any other social media site about your ex-spouse that you have regretted?

Probably a few times!

Your social media posts can cause serious damage to your family law case if you’re not really careful during your separation or divorce.

Hi, my name is Thomas O’Malley.  I’m an experienced family lawyer in Durham Region and the GTA.

Here’s some critical ways to avoid letting social media kill your family law case:

1.  Stay off social media completely or as much as possible during your separation or divorce.  I know it’s hard.  However, it could make a really big difference in getting fair and reasonable settlement in your family law case rather a long-drawn, nasty family court battle with your ex-spouse.

2.   If you don’t follow rule #1 (which I highly advise you do follow!), don’t post any comments or information about your ex-spouse or your children.  If you make negative posts about your ex-spouse on social media, your ex-spouse’s lawyer could easily use these posts as evidence that you cannot effectively co-parent with your ex-spouse since you do not respect them and show them common courtesy. 

3.   When you ex-spouse sends you any type of text, message or communication in they know they might get an angry or negative response from you, use the 24-hour reply rule. This means you wait at least 24 hours before you respond to this any type of negative comment or text message.  This ensures that you respond in a calm and courteous manner.  Only deal with the relevant subject matter of their message, such as when and where you are picking up your children.  Don’t comment on any of the provocative or irrelevant comments in their message.     

4.  Don’t make any posts about your new toys or acquisitions.  In other words, don’t advertise that you have bought any new luxury items or gone any nice trips to the Caribbean, for example.  It’s really hard to explain away these types of purchases and going on these types of trips while you are arguing that you’re poor and cannot afford to pay child support and spousal support to your ex-spouse!

5.  Don’t let any friend, family member, acquaintance, or any other person take photos of you in which a judge would see you in a bad light.  You just never know when someone is taking photos of you with their phone and they innocently post these photos on social media sites.   You simply don’t need photos of you drinking or acting foolishly posted online.

 6.  Don’t have any conversations with family members or friends in emails, text messages, social media posts or on Facebook messenger in which you tell a nasty story about your ex-spouse.  It’s funny how these written conversations suddenly appear in family court paperwork.

You can social-media proof your separation, divorce or family law case by following these essential tips.

If you have any questions about your separation, divorce or family law case and you would like our help, there’s a few ways to contact our office.  

You can leave a message on my Facebook law office page, visit my website at www.canadiandivorcelegaladvice.com, or call me directly at 905-434-8837.  

We would be happy to speak to you.

Oh, by the way, did you know you can protect your family law rights and get essential information on settling your family law issues with your former spouse with the daily indispensable family law advice and tips at my FREE Facebook group? 

Click here to find out more: Durham Region Separation and Divorce Legal Support Group  

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