What Steps Can I Take to Protect My Reputation During a Divorce?



All divorces have at least one of the following three issues, issues of time, issues of money, or issues of reputation.  A divorce can have a plethora of other issues, but it always has at least one of these. One of the most difficult to recover from can be the issue of reputation.  A divorce is a matter of public record. If you have engaged in behavior during your marriage that would paint you in a negative light, you can be assured your spouse is going to point it out in writing every chance he or she gets.   Further, anyone case sit in and watch the trial of your matter, and those same indiscretions will be pointed out in court. I’ve even seen cases where the local media get involved and publish the facts of the case in the local news. As such, one of the most important things you can do to protect your reputation is always keep your behavior above board both during your marriage and throughout the divorce process.  Avoid posting statements, pictures or memes on social media that could be construed in a negative light, avoid being seen in places like bars, clubs, or liquor stores, avoid purchasing large amounts of beer, wine, or liquor or purchasing these items on a regular basis, avoid situations that bring out the worst parts of your personality, don’t date during your divorce, and remember that even those who used to be your friends during your marriage as well as your spouse’s family may not be on your side, be careful what you share with them.  However, if the action or behavior has already occurred, you need to disclose this to your attorney as soon as possible so that he or she can triage the situation and take any steps they can to protect your legal interests.