These days, divorce lawyers don't have to go far to find evidence " they just go on the Internet.
Did you know that what you post online can be used against you in court, especially in a divorce? Attorney Scott Trout, managing partner for Cordell & Cordell, P.C., cautions spouses ending their marriage with his five divorce don'ts online:
1. Don't let it all hang out. Scott says to keep risqué or inappropriate photos off the Internet. "It's going to come back, and it's going to haunt you," he says. Be careful of photos with alcohol or partying with friends. If you're in a custody battle, they may hinder your case.
2. Don't show off. Scott says you shouldn't be purchasing big-ticket items before your divorce is finalized, and if you do, don't post photos online. A picture of a fancy new car can be used against you if you're saying you can't afford alimony. The same goes for vacation photos.
3. Don't get tagged. "Your friends are not your friends in a divorce," Scott says. Make sure people who know you aren't posting photos of you on their profiles and then tagging you in them, so it's easy to see what you've been up to.
4. Don't talk smack. "You don't want to talk bad about a judge. Judges are human. If you talk bad about a judge or opposing counsel, I don't care what the law says " You lose," Scott says.
5. Don't vent about the kids. Scott says if there is a custody issue in your divorce, the judge doesn't want to see you putting your kids in the middle. Don't share or post what you have or haven't told the kids. Keep them out of it.
