Divorce is a challenging and emotional process, but when it unfolds in the public eye, the difficulties can be magnified significantly. However, with careful planning, emotional resilience, and strategic decision-making, it is possible to navigate this challenging journey successfully.
Keep Your Information Private
Maintaining your privacy sounds like an obvious first step to limit the negative consequences of a public divorce, but setting the appropriate boundaries can help control the narrative. Avoid oversharing key details with family members or close friends via social media to keep your divorce from unnecessary public discussion. Unfortunately, a public divorce legally involves public disclosure of accessible information that you can’t control and must be on public record.
What Information is Public Record?
When trying to determine the optimal divorce path and outcome, it’s important to understand the impact that false allegations and contested issues can have on your long-term reputation. Sometimes, these issues are accessible as matters of public record and can impact both spouses immediately, or even resurface in the future. In the case that this public information becomes a point of contention, here are a few examples of what can become public record:
- Filed petitions, motions, or declarations in court
- Spouse testimonies addressing the other spouse involved
- Witness and expert testimonies discussing the case
- Evidence presented within the case
Can You Prevent or Avoid Publicly Record Information From Surfacing?
Divorce information entered into the public record is made accessible to both journalists and reporters, as well as nosy friends and family members interested in your case. If you have any concerns about information that may be included in the public record, you can request that certain information be redacted. This makes the most sense in cases where a party or multiple parties stand to deal with any safety concerns due to the inclusion of any specific locational information revealed through testimony, phone numbers, as well as addresses. In that case, a Chandler divorce attorney can help identify use cases where specific information can be redacted in an effort to keep your divorce private.
Emotional Support and Self Care
While family members and friends can complicate public divorces due to their interest in your information, it’s important to not shut them out completely and deal with such a taxing process alone. Seeking emotional support from the company of friends, family, or even seeking further help through therapy is a great way to deal with complicated feelings in a private manner. Practicing self care is a great supplement as well. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Exercise, meditation, journaling, and spending time with loved ones can help you maintain your emotional well-being.
