As discussed below, social media accounts can play a direct role in property division, alimony, and child support in some cases as well. If you or your spouse earns income through social media, it will be critical to make sure you do not overlook this fact during your divorce.

What Spouses Need to Know About Social Media During the Divorce Process

What do you need to know about social media when preparing to go through a divorce? Here are seven key facts for spouses in Pennsylvania:

1. Posting on Social Media Can Have Consequences for Your Divorce

The first fact you need to know is that posting on social media can have consequences for your divorce. If you aren’t careful, your social media posts could potentially impact your divorce in ways you might not expect—and that might not be favorable for you long-term. For example:

• Posting photos of assets you haven’t disclosed during the divorce process
• Posting photos of travel and other expensive purchases that are beyond your financial means
• Posting comments about how you secretly wish you didn’t have to deal with your children’s after-school schedules  

While these examples all have to do with posting information that you might not want coming to light during your divorce, posting on social media can potentially have other unintended consequences for your divorce as well. If you have questions about what you should and shouldn’t be posting during your divorce, Stroudsburg divorce lawyer Gary J. Saylor, II can explain everything you need to know.

2. Your Spouse’s Social Media Posts Can Also Have Consequences for Your Divorce

Just as your social media posts can have consequences for your divorce, your spouse’s posts can have consequences for your divorce as well. If your spouse’s social media posts reveal hidden assets or hidden sources of income, for example, this is information that your divorce lawyer may be able to use during the divorce process. If your spouse has already posted photos or comments that you think might be relevant to your divorce, you should discuss this with a divorce lawyer promptly.

3. Friends’ and Family Members’ Post Can Have Consequences, Too

Even if you are careful about what you post on social media, your friends and family members might not be. If anyone posts photos or comments that are pertinent to your divorce, these photos or comments could come into play during the divorce process.

With this in mind, if you are comfortable doing so, it may make sense to ask your friends and family members not to mention or tag you in any posts for the time being. If you see yourself mentioned or tagged in any posts that you would rather not be mentioned or tagged in, you should ask for your name to be removed.

4. It Is Best to Stay Off of Social Media, If Possible

Given the potential risks involved in posting on social media during the divorce process—including the risk of making inadvertent mistakes—it is generally best to stay off of social media, if possible. If you don’t need to maintain an online presence, you should set your accounts to private, and you should avoid posting to any of your accounts until your divorce is over.

5. If You Can’t Stay Off of Social Media, You Should Be Careful About What You Post

If you can’t stay off of social media during your divorce, you should be careful about what you post. When in doubt, avoid posting any photos or comments that you think might be inadvisable. If you feel compelled to post, try to make sure you are not posting any information that might be relevant to your divorce, and do not post any negative comments about your spouse or any information about your financial circumstances.

6. Social Media Accounts Can Qualify as Financial Assets That Are Subject to Distribution

If you or your spouse earns income from posting on social media, any monetized accounts could constitute financial assets that are subject to distribution in your divorce. In Pennsylvania, divorcing spouses must divide their marital assets “equitably,” and this generally includes all assets acquired or built up during the marriage (though exceptions apply in some cases).

If your (or your spouse’s) social media accounts are subject to distribution in your divorce, you will need to think carefully about how you want to approach this. There are several potential solutions; and, when you speak with an experienced lawyer about your divorce, your lawyer will be able to walk you through all of the various options you have available.

7. Income-Producing Social Media Accounts Can Impact Alimony and Child Support

Just as monetized social media accounts can come into play with regard to property division, they can also come into play with regard to alimony and child support. If you or your spouse earns income from posting on social media, this is income that will factor into the overall financial analysis of your divorce. Here too, an experienced divorce lawyer can explain everything you need to know. Ultimately, an experienced divorce lawyer will be able to help ensure that you are making informed decisions about all of the various social media-related aspects of your divorce—in addition to the numerous other aspects of the divorce process in Pennsylvania.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with Stroudsburg Divorce Lawyer Gary J. Saylor, II

Do you have questions about how social media posts or accounts might play a role in your divorce? If so, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free initial consultation with Stroudsburg divorce lawyer Gary J. Saylor, II, please call 570-421-5568 or contact us online today.