Divorce is one of the most difficult life events people go through, and it is not unusual for people to prefer that details of the divorce be kept private. However, keeping things private these days can be very difficult because of how easy it is for people to find information online or through their various networks.
This is not to say the details of your divorce will inevitably become public. There are some steps you can take to keep things private as you go through this difficult time.
- Have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in place. While this step won’t necessarily help if you are already getting divorced, it can be critical if you are about to get married or if you decide while married that you want to ensure the protection of your privacy. In these documents, you can include a confidentiality clause that imposes penalties on a party who reveals protected information.
- Opt for mediation over litigation. Litigation results in a public record of events; there is typically no such record for mediation sessions. Further, working divorce-related issues out on your own outside of court can make things less contentious and combative, which can make the situation less sensational and therefore, less interesting to others.
- Stay off social media. In many cases, it is the divorcing spouses who wind up sharing details of the divorce thanks to social media. Everything from pictures and statuses to hashtags and check-ins paint a picture of your current situation, so taking a step back from Facebook, Instagram and other sites can help you avoid oversharing.
These three steps can make it much easier to get through your divorce without public attention.
While there is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about when it comes to divorce and other family legal matters, the fact is that privacy can be critical during this process. It allows people to work through this difficult, complicated process in their own way and without the unwanted input, judgment or question of others.
Should you have questions or concerns regarding privacy and your divorce, it can be wise to consult your attorney.