Beware: Social Media can create the Divorce from Hell

We are all electronically connected to people we know and people we don’t know.  Sometimes, we may have exaggerated our importance to bolster business or our individual worth in the eyes of  potential clients, employers, friends, colleagues, acquaintances or complete strangers.  Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn are often the electronic platforms we use to create an image of who we are or who we want to be.

It is important to remember that most, if not all, of this electronic “stuff”, is discoverable and can be used as evidence against you in Massachusetts divorce litigation. For example, if you exaggerate your experience, earnings or erroneously represent as fact a matter that may not be true, these representations can backfire on you!

In most divorce actions in MA, the two biggest financial matters are Assets and Income.  Problems often arise when the divorcing party has held themselves out to be someone they are really not or have a title that is not really true.  For example, if you hold yourself out to be an owner of a family business, when you actually are not,  or your standard of living is exaggerated as wealthier than it actually is, then you may be setting yourself up for protracted litigation.  Your estranged spouse may use these exaggerations to his/her advantage by arguing that you have more income/assets than you have disclosed.  If you argue that these representations were in fact “exaggerations”, then your credibility is negatively impacted.  And,  if you exaggerated on one matter, then how can a judge believe your representations on another matter?  In the end,  the actual, provable facts will likely prevail. However, it may cost you significantly more in legal fees and costs to get your divorce finalized.

To speak with a lawyer about divorce, paternity, or child custody matter, contact Mavrides Law in Boston, Newton, or Wellesley, MA. To schedule an in-depth initial consultation, call 617-723-9900 or contact the firm at info@mavrideslaw.com

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