Making the decision to divorce can be hard. However, protecting your interests during the process doesn’t have to be.
You just have to remember that it’s time to start separating your life from your spouse’s life as much as possible and safeguard your privacy. Here are some tips that can help.
Limit social media activity
Does your spouse know your social media passwords? It’s time to change that. In fact, it’s wisest to lock down your social media accounts and let them sit idle for the duration of your divorce proceedings.
At a minimum, avoid sharing any personal details, photos or emotional updates or any information related to your case. Anything you post could potentially be used against you, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and refrain from sharing anything personal online.
Secure your electronic devices
Ensure that all your electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers, are protected with new, hard-to-guess passwords.
Use biometric authentication features, if available, to add an extra layer of security. Be mindful of leaving devices unattended (especially in shared spaces if you are still living in the same home with your future ex-spouse) to prevent unauthorized access.
Update all of your online accounts
Review your online accounts, including email, credit cards, banking, investment and shopping accounts and change those passwords, too. Consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Change security questions to answers that cannot be guessed, especially by your spouse.
You do not want your spouse to have easy access to your spending habits, your private conversations with your friends, relatives or professional contacts or anything else.
Guard your physical documents
Keep important physical documents, such as financial records, legal documents and personal records, in a secure location that your spouse cannot access. If necessary, rent a safe deposit box and get a post office box for important correspondence (or use a trusted friend or family member’s address to receive sensitive mail).
Finally, remember that seeking legal guidance and surrounding yourself with a good support network during this time can make the entire divorce process easier.
