Logo

CALL US TODAY

757.785.9761

CLIENT PORTAL | CHAT | SCHEDULE NOW
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Attorneys
      • Sheera R. Herrell
      • Katherine Wilcox Carter
      • Lori A. Michaud
      • Ashli Pack
      • Lorna Rhoades
      • Caitlin Walters
    • Our Staff
      • Careers
    • Our History
    • Our Reputation
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Separation
      • Deciding Whether to Save or End Your Marriage
      • Signs/Red Flags
      • Agreements and How They Can Help You
    • Divorce
      • With Minor Children
        • Married 1-7 Years
        • Married 8-19 Years
        • Married 20+ Years
      • Without Minor Children
        • Married 1-7 Years
        • Married 8-19 Years
        • Married 20+ Years
      • Military Divorce
      • Weekend Divorce
      • Design Your Divorce
      • Collaborative Divorce
      • Property Dispute
    • Custody/Visitation
      • Custody
      • Visitation
      • Grandparent or Non Parent RIghts
    • Support
      • Child Support
      • Spousal Support
  • Information & Resources
    • Our Books and Reports
      • What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce
      • Women’s Custody Survival Guide
      • What Every Virginia Military Wife Needs to Know About Divorce
      • The Women’s Guide To Hiring An Outstanding Family Law Attorney
    • Library
    • Blog
    • Video
    • FAQ’s
    • Design Your Divorce
  • Seminars & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Girls Night Out
    • Second Saturday – Monthly Divorce Seminar
    • Virginia Custody Bootcamp for Moms
  • Contact Us
    • Careers
    • Virginia Beach
    • Newport News
    • Chesapeake (by appointment only)

Twittering and Facebook and Your Case (by Mary Elizabeth Davis)

October 26, 2009 By HofheimerFamilyLaw

It astounds me that people fail to realize how accessible private information can be on the Internet. People post private pictures on Facebook, Myspace, or other sites and fail to limit general access to them. I've seen plenty of pictures of young parents drinking and partying, oblivious to the effect these pictures would have in a custody case. Even posting cute pictures of your child might give a pedophile information about finding the child, putting your child at risk.

Prior to posting information on the internet, think to yourself:

1. Who has access to this information? Protect your photos, allowing only those you have selected to view them. If you are on Facebook, for example, you can allow only certain friends to see your family photos. You might limit those albums from casual acquaintances or business contacts.

2. What could someone do with this information? Posting pictures of your child's cheer or sport team, and the children's names, on an account like Flickr could allow a pedophile to show up at a practice and appear to know a child. "Your mom sent me to pick you up" is a lot more convincing to a child when you know her name and the name of her friends.

3. How could this information hurt me? My favorite cautionary tale is about the guy who took off work for "a family emergency" and showed up in pictures on a social-networking site dressed up as a fairy at a Halloween party. (Tinkerbell lost his job.)

4. Where will this information surprise me? No attorney wants to be surprised in court with pictures of your "just my friend" in pajamas in a cozy family photo with your kids. "No, he doesn't sleep over" just won't ring true. Similarly, information you post could make someone question your judgment and parenting skills.

My best advice if you are in a contested case, particularly a custody case? Don't post it.

Filed Under: Divorce

We can help you right now. Contact Us Today.


Request more information below:

Disclaimer Terms

Our Events & Seminars Keep Virginia Women Informed

Events

Why Should You Choose Us?

Our Reputation

From our blog library:

What can I do about my child’s father’s prior drug use?

What can I do about my child’s father’s prior drug use? Drug and alcohol use is always a big deal in … Read More...

What if my child’s father has abused drugs or alcohol?

What if my child’s father has abused drugs and/or alcohol? Drug and alcohol abuse is an issue that … Read More...

Drug or Alcohol Use in My Virginia Custody Case

Drug or Alcohol Use and My Virginia Custody Case Drug or alcohol use can pose problems in a … Read More...

Click Here for Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Virginia Beach

1604 Hilltop West Executive Center,
Suite 300,
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 785-9761

CHESAPEAKE

(by appointment only)
638 Independence Parkway,
Suite 240, Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 550-2637

Newport News

11815 Fountain Way,
Suite 300
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 707-8225

Copyright © 2019 | Hofheimer Family Law Firm