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The potential impact of social media on your Texas divorce or child custody case

It used to be that the first thing a person would do to find out what’s going on in the world was to pick up the newspaper from their town and get to reading. The previous day’s events were contained in print and left on your doorstep or at the newsstand.

I can remember reading through the sports section of the Houston Chronicle every morning at the breakfast table to get all the news that I thought I could ever want.

Times have changed even in the past decade with the widespread use of social media. People will always want to learn more and have access to more information, and social media taps into that desire. Instead of having to wait hours to get an update on a news event or whatever piques your interest, social media allows for almost instantaneous reporting and analysis of current events both around the world and in your backyard.

These current events are not only the sort of noteworthy headlines that we may see on the evening news but can be seemingly benign updates on aspects of the lives of our friends and families. I think we all have someone in our lives whom we would qualify as an “over-sharer” of information on the various social media applications.

This means that instead of holding a few cards close to their vest, this person will broadcast every bit of their lives, good and bad, to the entire world. We can debate why people do this until the cows come home, but regardless of their motivation, I think we can all agree that it does happen.

Divorce in the era of social media

This introduction to social media brings us to the meat and potatoes of what I would like to discuss with you all today, on behalf of the attorneys with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. So much of a divorce case is spent, for better or worse, attempting to get the upper hand on your spouse when it comes to the relevant issues of your case.

I can’t tell you how many times a client has walked into our office to speak to me about a “juicy” bit of information that they think will turn the case against their spouse completely. However, when I drill down a little deeper with the client, it is revealed that the information is just that: information.

There is no evidence of any wrongdoing or horrible act that could potentially sway their spouse to a favorable settlement agreement or something like that.

Social media offers the sort of specificity in evidence that attorneys love. Most applications allow for detailed dating of material so that you can know down to the minute where someone is (or isn’t) as well as who they are spending their time with. If it’s the evidence you require, social media accounts are often fertile ground for plucking fresh evidence for courtroom use or negotiations.

What can social media posts be utilized for in the context of your divorce? Read on to find out more.

In child custody cases primarily, parents will utilize social media posts to attempt to show that the other parent is not doing what they are supposed to be doing as far as parenting is concerned. Late-night posts from dance clubs, bars, and other adult locations on weekends where they have your child can be used as evidence to restrict visitation and access or to flip primary conservatorship over to you.

I have seen situations where a parent has posted photos of guns, drugs, or other items on social media. A judge has severely restricted visitation and access for a parent. Remember- a judge has to decide on behalf of your child’s best interests. Removing them from an environment where physical harm could befall them is the most reasonable way to ensure their best interest is looked after.

Proving grounds for divorce

Most folks know that you can get divorced in Texas for any reason under the sun.

However, if you are attempting to prove that your spouse’s cheating on you has caused you to file for divorce, social media posts showing them romantically with another person can go a long way towards aiding your attempts to prove a specific fault grounds for divorce.

Hence, if there is a significant community estate at stake, any evidence that can be used to assist your case will be highly sought after. A higher percentage of the community estate and a change in the amount of spousal support awarded can be the consequences of having your infidelity exposed to the court via social media posts.

Social media as a way to detail your income

If you tell a court that your child support obligation needs to be decreased, but you are parading a new car or another item around on social media, your chances of winning your case have diminished significantly.

Nobody would be shocked to learn that people present different personas in the courthouse versus those away from the judge. With that said, if you are intent on proving that your income has decreased, you ought to watch out for what you post online.

Questions on the impact of social media on family law cases? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, today.

To learn more about our office and our services to clients, please do not hesitate to contact us today. A free-of-charge consultation with one of our licensed family law attorneys is available six days a week. We represent clients across southeast Texas, and we would be honored to speak to you about your case and answer any questions you may have.

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  1. Be Careful, or Computers and Social Media May Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
  2. How Social Media Can Hurt You in Divorce
  3. Getting Ready for a Hearing On Temporary Custody Orders
  4. Can I sue my spouse’s mistress in Texas?
  5. My Spouse Has Accused Me of Adultery in my Texas Divorce, and I Haven’t
  6. When is Cheating Considered Adultery in a Texas Divorce?
  7. Sex, Lies, Rock-and-roll, and Adultery in a Texas Divorce
  8. Can I Sue My Spouse for Mental Abuse in My Texas Divorce?
  9. Six things You Need to Know Before You File for Divorce in Texas
  10. Texas Divorce Morality Clause: Be Careful What You Ask For
  11. What does Insupportability or No-Fault in a Texas Divorce Mean?

Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring, Texas Divorce Lawyers

The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s essential to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.

Our divorce lawyers in Spring, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, handles Divorce cases in Spring, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

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At the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, the firm wants to get to know your case before they commit to work with you. They offer all potential clients a no-obligation, free consultation where you can discuss your case under the client-attorney privilege. This means that everything you say will be kept private and the firm will respectfully advise you at no charge. You can learn more about Texas divorce law and get a good idea of how you want to proceed with your case.

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