Social Media as Evidence in Family Law Cases
Gathering and disclosing information is a critical part of the legal process, especially when dealing with family law matters. Increasingly, evidence obtained from social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn is being used in Canadian courts to determine the outcome of family law cases. Whether you like it or not, the way you present yourself online matters.
How Social Media Influences Divorce Proceedings
Social media posts can be used to give insight into a variety of family law matters including parenting claims and financial support. This is especially true when issues of credibility arise. For example, posting crude status updates or photos on Facebook can be detrimental to ones reputation and greatly influence a Justice’s/Judge’s decision in allocating parenting time and decision making matters. This is exactly what happened in M.J.M v. A.D. The court dismissed the fathers application for guardianship after his Facebook page was deemed to expose the child to risk and displayed a disregard for her best interest. His online behaviour demonstrated a lack of consideration for the mother which the Court found to be troubling, especially when being asked to determine the decision-making authority of both parents.
You’re Only As Credible As Your Social Media Makes You Out To Be
When it comes to issues of support, posting photos of luxurious vacations or material goods on social media can indicate to a Justice/Judge if an individual has withheld from their financial disclosure. In the same realm, information provided on LinkedIn such as education or work history may reveal hidden assets. These posts often take the he said, she said out of affidavits and replace them with photos and screenshots as evidence. Its also important to note that posts from years before your family matter case began can still resurface and end up being used against you.
How To Protect Yourself Online
In order to protect yourself during a separation, its best practice to assume that everything you post online is public and irreversible. Even if you delete a post, someone may have taken a screenshot or saved it to their personal device.
If you must use social media:
- ensure you have the highest privacy settings;
- create strong passwords and reset them frequently;
- consider deleting and blocking the opposing party and anyone who might share your online activity with them; and
- always think twice before you share anything.
It has become increasingly common for lawyers to advise against using social media during divorce proceedings. Or at least limit your use and be cautious of what you make public. A good rule to follow: if you would not feel comfortable with your posts being read aloud in a court room, do not post, share or update.
Disclaimer: The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.
