Social media has enabled people across the country and around the world to connect with each other. Someone living in Illinois can send pictures, update friends and more with just a few clicks on a smartphone. As online networking has grown in popularity, it has created interesting discussions regarding employment, privacy and even divorce. Couples involved in a separation or divorce may want to be cautious with what they put online, as the results could be costly.
A family and relationship therapist and her partner have a prenuptial agreement in place that takes social media into account. It is a common practice for some couples to have prenuptial agreements to determine how marital property and money will be divided in the event of a divorce. In the United States, all states recognize the practice though the agreements may not always be enforced.
According to the therapist, an agreement regarding social media can enable a couple to have a better relationship. At the beginning of a relationship, it may be hard to fathom that a spouse would post something inappropriate online, but it can happen. If it does occur despite a contractual agreement, the penalties can be expensive. According to one attorney, a spouse’s income could determine the cost of an offensive or humiliating post. A person who makes less than $5 million may have to pay as much as $50,000 for each post.
A prenuptial agreement can be an effective way to minimize the work that has to occur following a divorce. Dividing property can become complex quickly. An attorney is best equipped to help a couple establish such agreements and navigate the legal process associated with a separation or divorce.
Source: The Independent, “$50,000 for a tweet: The rise of ‘social media prenups’,” Lizzie Dearden, June 6, 2014
