Baltimore & Towson Lawyer Discusses Social Media Impacts Family Law Litigation
Social media has its advantages. It can help put you in touch with long lost friends, maintain contact with family members who live far away, and/or allow you to gain new business contacts, if used as part of a marketing campaign. However, in recent years, social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have played an interesting part in various types of litigation.
People who use social media tend to share all types of information, from personal contact details and recent photographs, to intimate thoughts and concerns. Your family law attorney will tell you that sharing so many details online can be a dual-edged sword, particularly if you become embroiled in a legal battle with an ex or family member.
Cases Involving Parenting Issues in Towson & Baltimore
Many times, when parents are attempting to reach an agreement with respect to a parenting plan and custody arrangements, conversations may get heated and tempers may flare. If that occurs, one or both parents may take to Facebook or some other form of social media to release built-up frustration. Although going online and sharing issues with friends and family may seem therapeutic, individuals should keep in mind that their words could come back to haunt them.
In fact, in recent years, there have been cases where judges have allowed a parent to use certain information found on a social media page to assist him or her with the case. Additionally, your social media page can be subject to scrutiny by a judge who might wish to review what you are posting on your page during your free time. In some instances, judges have ordered parents not to speak about the case with their children or others and refrain from making negative statements about the other parent. If the judge subsequently learns the parent has violated the order, that violation could negatively affect the outcome of the case.
Understand How Your Case Can Be Affected
Lawyers who handle family law cases in Baltimore and elsewhere throughout Maryland have learned that communications made via social media can become part of the court's records. This includes not only what may have been posted on a parent's Facebook wall about the other parent or the case in general, but also status updates and pictures that may be unrelated. A party may decide to use such information to show what a parent is doing in his or her free time and whether or not the individual is practicing poor behavior or communicating inappropriately.
Parents who have mutual friends should also be aware that those individuals might view the posts and decide to share the newly-found information with the other parent, which could lead to unintended consequences. Further, even if your ex is not "your friend" on the site, he or she may still be able to gain access to your postings.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? Be careful what you post, watch your privacy settings and pay close attention to what other individuals post on your page. A knowledgeable attorney can further advise you on the role social media might play in your particular case.
If you have questions or concerns about how social media may be used in your family law case, contact attorney Amar Weisman, LLC as soon as possible.
Call (410) 321-4994 For a Free Consultation
Call The Law Offices of Amar S. Weisman at (410) 321-4994 to schedule a Free Consultation. The Purpose of the consultation is to determine whether you want to retain this law firm as your Baltimore County & Harford County Family Lawyer. If you do wish to proceed, then you must pay a retainer. See Our Policy on Fees and Costs. The family firm is located next to The Circuit Court for Baltimore County, at 1018 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204.
