Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Divorce
Millions of Americans use Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends, make new connections for professional and personal reasons, and many other activities. When you consider the expansive nature of social media platforms and the massive amounts of content they store, you might not be surprised to learn that the profile details of both parties may come up in a Texas divorce case. However, you may not fully realize how this information could both support your position and create significant challenges in divorce proceedings.
It is likely that our team at The Ramos Law Group, PLLC will request your Facebook profile so that we can protect your interests and overcome challenges. Our Texas divorce attorneys employ all available strategies for helping you achieve your goals in divorce, and we will collect all evidence that serves this purpose. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation, and read on for some tips on gaining access to this important information.
Steps to Download Your Facebook Profile
There are several tips and tools for managing your content and profile details on the social media platform, and the “Download Your Information” process is how you make a copy. The Ramos Law Group, PLLC can walk you through the following steps:
Navigate to the downward-facing arrow at the top right of the Facebook page.
Go to Settings and Privacy and click on Settings.
Along the left, you will see a tab for Your Facebook Information. Click View to access the details.
Your Texas divorce lawyer will advise you on whether to exclude certain categories of data, so de-select any content that is not necessary for your case. For instance, there are date range filters, so you can disregard information that is irrelevant.
Click Create File to finalize your online request to download information.
Note that Facebook will need time to compile your records and complete the download request. When the status switches from Pending to Available, you can transfer the information in the format of your choosing.
Why Social Media Profiles are Important in Texas Divorce
The information on your Facebook profile is important because of what it might reveal about you and your activities. You might never expect your content to impact divorce, but a Texas divorce lawyer can explain the potentially harsh implications. Social media details could affect:
Property division, when images or video uncovers hidden assets or waste of marital property;
Alimony, especially if the content disputes a need for spousal support; and
Child custody and visitation if your online activities do not serve the child’s best interests.
Facebook and Divorce: Enhancing Your Privacy Settings Helps—But it is Not Enough
Here is the most important thing to know about Facebook and divorce: Everything that you share on social media could potentially be raised in your divorce case. Indeed, your posts could potentially get taken out of context and used to paint a misleading picture regarding your property/assets, financial habits, lifestyles, and/or parenting ability.
You should improve your privacy settings, thereby limiting the number of people that can see your Facebook or other social media profile. At the same time, making a Facebook profile is not necessarily enough. A non-public Facebook could still end up in a divorce case. A family member or friend may share something that you post with your ex. It is better to take a pause from sharing information about your life online.
Divorce Tip: Do Not Forget About Other Social Media Profiles
According to data from Search Engine Journal, Facebook is still the most commonly used social media platform. Of course, there are also a wide variety of other social media services. If you are preparing for a divorce in Texas, it is crucial that you review and protect all of your social media accounts, including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and any other platform that you share information on. The simple reality is that anything that you put on the internet could potentially be “discovered” and used against you in your divorce. It is a best practice to play it safe and limit what goes on your social media until after your divorce/family law case is finalized.
A Skilled Texas Divorce Attorney Can Provide Additional Details
This summary is useful on how to download your Facebook profile and why this information is important, but you will need legal help for divorce proceedings. To learn more about how our lawyers support you on all divorce topics, please contact The Ramos Law Group, PLLC to set up a consultation. We can advise you on the process while reviewing your circumstances.
Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Mary E. Ramos
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