Divorce can be challenging enough without the added scrutiny or interference from outside parties. And people can be especially interested in the details of a split when the divorcing parties are affluent or high-profile.
Under these circumstances, privacy can seem like a luxury. However, there are ways to keep sensitive details of your divorce out of the public arena.
Tip #1: Stay out of court
If privacy is a priority for you, consider alternatives to litigation. Going to court can be expensive and time-consuming. It also creates a public record.
Instead, parties can work together in private mediation to resolve as many elements of a divorce as possible.
However, going to court can be the best or only option for contentious parties or when there are complex marital estates at stake. Under these circumstances, parties can discuss their legal options for minimizing public scrutiny with an attorney, including the possibility of having a private judge or filing the records under seal.
Tip #2: Keep the details to yourself
The easiest way for other people to learn about the details of your divorce is to share them yourself. Often, people share things online or make statements on social media that they believe are private.
However, every person should assume that nothing they do or say on social media is truly private or anonymous. Messages can be easily forwarded; pictures can be taken out of context; people can take screenshots of content that you thought would disappear.
As such, consider keeping all conversations or statements about your divorce, property or children offline.
Tip #3: Minimize the drama
The more sensational and dramatic a divorce is, the more interesting it can be to other people. Therefore, making divorce as uninteresting as possible would make it easier to keep people from wanting to know all the details.
Of course, this is often easier said than done. Emotions run high during divorce; disputes over property become contentious; people fighting over custody might make ugly accusations about each other in an effort to prevail.
While it may be impossible to keep all the drama out of a divorce, you can minimize opportunities for conflict. You might restrict your conversations with your ex to email, for instance, or communicate through your attorneys.
Divorce is difficult, and unfortunately, people may want to know more about yours than you’d like to share. However, with these tips, it can be easier to protect your privacy throughout the process.
To talk to an experienced Colorado family lawyer, contact us at (303) 647-4245 and schedule your free consultation.