The internet plays a huge role in modern divorce, for better or for worse. Some divorcees find relief in social networking, but others suffer harassment at the hands of their ex.
Nasty Facebook updates can make your blood boil. How you respond, however, could determine whether you emerge with a favorable divorce resolution. Keep the following in mind as you deal with a difficult ex:
Avoid Facebook Stalking Your Ex
In times of heightened emotion, otherwise innocuous internet updates can seem like personal attacks. If possible, avoid looking at your ex’s social media pages altogether. If a problematic post comes to your attention via friends or family members, monitor the situation and consult your attorney before interacting with your ex.
Forget About ‘Tit For Tat’
Your immediate desire after seeing online insults may be to respond in kind. After all, who could possibly have more dirt on your ex?
Although understandable, this impulse could cause huge problems down the road. Anything you express online could come back to haunt you in the future; that retaliatory tweet or Facebook status may grant the opposing side’s counsel additional ammo.
Resist the urge to write an explanatory post denouncing your ex’s insults. Such a post may prove cathartic in the short-term, but could ultimately be used against you. The less you talk about your divorce in any capacity online, the better.
Take Legal Action for Libel
Severe comments could hurt your reputation, making it difficult to land work or housing in the future. Depending on the nature of the accusations, in certain very specific situations, you might consider taking legal action for libel. Previous spouses have done exactly that on the basis that online publications count as defamation in writing.
Think carefully before taking this approach; a lawsuit could prove costly and may further extend already combative divorce litigation. Furthermore, you’ll need ample proof to demonstrate that problematic language actively harmed you.
The law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd. can optimize your legal approach to make the most of a difficult situation. No matter how your ex-spouse behaves, you can handle the ordeal with a trusted Minnesota attorney by your side.