In a previous post, we talked about how social media can negatively affect you. However, there are ways it can work in your favor, too, especially if you have to collect evidence for your divorce.

While you know better than to post anything improper on social media (including photos, videos and information), your spouse might not. If you have access to his or her accounts or can see what he or she posts, this may be a good time to start collecting evidence, finding hidden assets and gathering information for negotiations.

Social media: A possible friend when you’re divorcing

One of the things clients sometimes come across on their spouses’ social media accounts are missing assets. Perhaps the spouse took artwork or property from the home, making it hard to locate or even prove that it exists. Enter social media.

If the spouse so much as posts a sentence about taking assets from the home, there’s evidence to help the court make decisions in your favor. Maybe your ex will post a photo with the art you’re looking for in the background or suddenly buy many large assets that you know had to be paid for with missing financial assets. These pieces of evidence can be fantastic for your case.

Another added benefit of social media is that your spouse won’t be able to block everyone. So long as he or she posts information to the public or specific friends, you have a way to access that information. If a friend sends you a link to a photo or you see it directly, then there’s no way for someone to accuse you of hacking an account or obtaining information in a less-than-acceptable manner.

Social media is also helpful because of the history it holds. Remember, nothing you post online is ever gone for good. What someone thinks has been deleted might be in a cache or archive on a search engine or computer’s history, giving you access to important evidence for your case. Simple searches of photos might link you to accounts you never knew existed, just as searching your ex’s name online could link you to a plethora of helpful content .

With the combination of social media and the internet, it’s easier than ever to find out information about the person you’re divorcing. That’s why it’s vital that you protect yourself but take steps to collect information from any active accounts your spouse may have.