As you walk away from the latest fight with your spouse, you start fuming: “He makes me so mad!” or “Who does she think she is?” You reach for your phone to vent to your friends on Facebook.

Stop! Before you start typing, you should know that Facebook is not as safe of an outlet as you may think. In fact, posting on Facebook could cause more family turmoil, lead to uncomfortable situations with your friends, and may even hurt your divorce settlement:

1. It’s not fair to your family.

Are your children Facebook friends with you? What about your in-laws or other family members? While they may already know that you are having marital difficulties, they don’t need to be privy to your every rant against your spouse. 

It’s especially vital that your children not see such posts. Keep in mind that although you are not happy with your spouse right now, he or she is still an integral part of your child’s life, and making derogatory comments about your spouse could also wound your child.

2. It makes friends uncomfortable.

If you’ve been married for any length of time, chances are that many of your acquaintances on Facebook also know your spouse. They may still like both of you, and it’s not fair to put them in a spot where they have to choose between you and your spouse. 

What’s more, saying nasty things about your spouse on Facebook could actually make those friends dislike you more than your spouse. At the very least, it will likely make them feel very uncomfortable.

When you feel the need to vent, do it in the privacy of a close friend or two.

3. It could hurt your Maryland divorce settlement.    

What you post on Facebook could potentially turn into evidence in the courtroom. You’d be surprised at what seemingly benign comments could clue in a judge as to your intentions or deceitfulness.

Remember that you are still settling the terms of your divorce, including such hot-topic issues as alimony, child support, child custody, who gets the house or car, etc. You don’t want to do or write anything that could jeopardize your right to a fair deal in the settlement.

For more information on what not to do in Maryland divorce court, contact an experienced Maryland divorce attorney today at 800-875-9700.