What You Do Online Can Impact Your Divorce Case

Divorce is rarely simple—emotionally, financially, or legally. And in a world where social media has become second nature, what you post online can quickly impact what happens in the courtroom. If your social media page is public, anything posted is immediately fair game to be entered as evidence in court. A single photo, comment, or “like” can be taken out of context and used to question your integrity, parenting, or honesty.

At North Texas Family Lawyers, we help clients protect not only their legal rights but also their digital presence. Social media outlets are one of the primary sources of evidence used in family law cases. Knowing how to handle your online life during divorce is just as important as preparing financial disclosures or child custody documents. The right approach can make your case smoother, while the wrong one can create avoidable complications.

Anything You Post Could Become Evidence

Even if your account is private, your content isn’t always safe. Screenshots, tags, and reshared posts often find their way into court. Opposing counsel can use social media activity to challenge your credibility, question your financial situation, or influence custody discussions.

When in doubt, remember—once it’s online, it’s permanent.

Avoid posting about:

• Your divorce or your ex-spouse. Even casual or “harmless” comments can be seen as hostile or disrespectful.
• New relationships. Introducing a partner publicly can cause unnecessary tension or complicate custody matters.
• Vacations, parties, or large purchases. These posts can give the wrong impression about your financial priorities.
• Emotional or angry rants. What feels like venting can later be used to question your temperament or judgment.

Always remember to think twice before you post, and when unsure, don’t post it at all.

Turn On & Review Your Privacy Settings

Adjusting your privacy settings is a smart first step, especially in contested divorces. It limits who can see your posts and helps you maintain better control over your online visibility.

Still, privacy settings are not a shield. A single screenshot shared by a mutual acquaintance can undo your efforts.

To minimize exposure:

• Review your account access. Make sure your ex or their friends cannot view your activity.
• Limit who can tag you. Turn on review settings for tags and check-ins.
• Regularly update your passwords. Shared passwords or saved logins can lead to unintended access.

Always assume that anything you post could one day be seen in court.

Keep Your Social Circles Separate

Maintaining distance—both emotionally and digitally—can help reduce stress and prevent unnecessary conflict. Mutual friends may mean well, but they can unintentionally share or comment on posts that reach your ex or their legal team.

You don’t need to block everyone, but take steps to manage your online connections:

• Unfollow or mute your ex. This helps you avoid emotional triggers and prevents misinterpretations.
• Adjust visibility for mutual friends. Not all updates need to be public.
• Refrain from commenting on shared acquaintances’ posts. Even neutral remarks can be twisted out of context.

Keeping your social networks separate creates healthier emotional boundaries while minimizing legal risks.

Don’t Discuss Your Case

It’s natural to feel frustrated, but social media is not the place to air grievances or opinions about your spouse, attorney, or the court. Even vague statements can be misinterpreted.

Follow a simple rule: if it has to do with your divorce, don’t post it.

Instead of posting, we suggest that you:

• Vent privately. Speak with a trusted friend or counselor offline.
• Keep updates factual, not emotional. Focus on your wellbeing, not the legal details.
• Remember that sarcasm and humor don’t translate well online. What seems lighthearted can be used against you.

Every word you post contributes to the narrative surrounding your case. Choose your words carefully—or choose silence.

Be Cautious About Photos & Tags

Images tell stories faster than text, and in divorce proceedings, they can tell the wrong one.

Avoid party photos, drinking shots, or posts that suggest risky behavior. Even if your lifestyle hasn’t changed, perception matters. Your online presence should reflect stability and responsibility, especially if custody or spousal support is involved.

We advise clients to:

• Avoid party or nightlife photos. They can easily be used to question judgment.
• Monitor tagged content. Friends may post photos or updates that unintentionally harm your image.
• Ask loved ones to respect your privacy. A simple message explaining your situation can go a long way.

The people you associate with online also reflect on you. Staying mindful of what others post helps protect your reputation.

Don’t Reveal Your Location

Many social media platforms automatically attach location information to photos and posts. Sharing your real-time whereabouts—especially during custody exchanges—can create misunderstandings or disputes. To avoid unnecessary conflict, wait to post updates until you are in a neutral or appropriate location, and always assume your location could be visible to others.

Don’t Post About Finances or Purchases

It’s easy to forget that even lighthearted posts about shopping or vacations can raise red flags. During a divorce, all financial matters—income, assets, spending—are under scrutiny.

To stay safe:

• Skip posts about money, gifts, or large purchases. They can undermine financial claims or settlement discussions.
• Avoid showing off new items or travel photos. Opposing counsel may use them to argue that you have undisclosed assets or extra income.

Financial transparency matters in divorce. Keep your social media from giving the wrong impression.

Avoid Negative Comments

No matter how justified your frustration feels, avoid making negative remarks about your ex, their family, or the court. These posts rarely accomplish anything and can significantly harm your credibility.

We highly recommend:

• Maintaining a tone of respect and restraint. It reflects maturity and emotional control.
• Avoiding responding to provocation. Silence is often the strongest response.
• Focusing your posts on personal growth. Positivity signals that you’re moving forward constructively.

Remember, judges and attorneys may review your online behavior. Demonstrating composure can strengthen your position in the courtroom.

Don’t Complain About Parenting

It can be tempting to post about the challenges of raising children or managing shared custody, but these posts can be misinterpreted in court. Negative comments about parenting, fatigue, or disagreements with your ex could be used to question your ability to provide stable care. Keeping your social media free from parenting complaints helps demonstrate responsibility, maturity, and a focus on your children’s best interests.

Don’t Delete Old Posts Without Guidance

If you’re worried about older content, talk to your attorney before deleting anything. Removing posts or photos could be considered spoliation—the destruction or alteration of potential evidence—which can lead to court sanctions, financial penalties, or harm to your credibility.

Instead of deleting, it is wise to:

• Document what exists. Download your social media data and review it with your lawyer.
• Flag concerning posts. Your attorney can advise how to address them appropriately.

Transparency is always safer than erasure.

Download Your Facebook Data for Your Attorney

Providing your lawyer with a complete history of your Facebook activity can be invaluable during a divorce. This includes posts, messages, and interactions that may come up during discovery or cross-examination. By sharing this data proactively, your attorney can anticipate potential issues, prepare responses, and address concerns before they arise, helping to protect your case and credibility.

Take a Break from Social Media

Sometimes, the best way to protect yourself online is to step away altogether. Deactivating or pausing your accounts helps reduce emotional stress and prevents accidental missteps.

A temporary break allows you to focus on healing, rebuilding, and preparing for the next chapter of your life. You can always return when the time feels right—and with more perspective.

Protect Your Case & Your Peace

Social media can bring connection and comfort, but during divorce, it often does more harm than good. Every post, photo, and reaction carries weight. By being intentional about your online activity, you protect your privacy, your family, and your legal case.

At North Texas Family Lawyers, we guide clients through every legal stage of divorce—from negotiation to litigation—with professionalism and care. Our team handles contested and collaborative divorce, temporary orders, high net worth divorce, and spousal maintenance.

We also assist with mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) cases, as well as divorces involving mental health-related concerns, providing tailored guidance for each client’s unique situation. In every context, we understand firsthand how digital footprints can affect modern divorce cases and are here to help you make smart, protective decisions every step of the way.

If you’re navigating a divorce and want to understand how social media could influence your case, call (972) 402-6367 or contact us online today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced family law attorney.