Divorce can put the details of people’s marriage, finances and personal life under a microscope. Angry parties can use unflattering or intimate information about the other person against them; business partners and the public can be interested in the assets and financial wealth of successful or high-profile parties.
However, parties can take steps to protect their privacy during a divorce.
Stay out of court
Going to court creates a public record of the matters that parties are resolving through litigation. Interested individuals could access this information and learn about things like your children and your living situation.
However, alternatives to litigation, such as mediation, are confidential. They allow parties to negotiate sensitive matters openly and honestly, which can alleviate fears of this information becoming publicly available.
Stay off social media
People live their lives online these days; they share so much of themselves with others through social media. Sites like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook make it easy for users to vent, brag or tell stories to anyone who follows them.
It can be tempting to turn to these platforms during difficult times. However, doing so can make your situation more complicated. Once you say or share something online, you lose control over who sees it. Your ex, your colleagues and even your children could ultimately see things you don’t want them to. Thus, staying off social media during your divorce can be wise.
Changing your passwords
It may not be people outside your family who you want to keep out of your private matters; it could be your ex.
If you have images, conversations or behaviors that you do not want your ex to know about or use against you during a divorce, changing your passwords is crucial. You will likely want to change logins for:
- Emails
- Social media accounts
- Internet banking sites
- Phone and tablet lock codes
- Smart home devices
- Streaming service accounts
- Cloud storage
Updating your information on these sites and accounts can prevent an ex from gaining access to something you expected to be secure.
Divorce is a personal experience. Taking these steps can help you resolve family legal matters while keeping details about yourself and your life private.