King Law | Divorcing Your Digital Life After A Divorce
After a divorce, a couple is trying to separate their digital life

When you enter a marriage or decide to move in together, you create a complex web of shared responsibilities and assets. This includes not only financial obligations but also emotional ties and public personas reflected in your social media profiles. These connections can become particularly complicated when the relationship ends. In the aftermath of a breakup, individuals often face not only deep emotional pain but also a daunting amount of logistical work, from dividing property to settling financial matters. During such turmoil, issues like technology and data privacy may not seem like a priority. However, taking the time to assess and manage your digital footprint is crucial. To learn more about the steps you should take after a divorce in South Carolina, contact the King Law Offices at (888) 748-KING to speak with an experienced South Carolina family law attorney. 

What Does “Divorcing Your Digital Life” Mean?

“Divorcing your digital life” after a separation entails a series of steps aimed at disconnecting an individual’s online presence from that of an ex-partner. This process involves creating a unique digital identity by meticulously changing all passwords for online accounts, ensuring that no previously shared credentials remain. It may also include revoking shared access to services, such as streaming platforms and cloud storage, which a couple may have previously used together. By taking these proactive measures, individuals can create a safer and more secure online environment for themselves as they move forward.

How To Divorce Your Digital Life

Many spouses often believe that severing ties with their ex digitally is as simple as blocking and unfollowing them on social media. While this initial step is certainly important, it is crucial to recognize that it only scratches the surface. A more thorough approach is necessary to cleanse one’s digital life effectively. This approach often includes the following:

Change Passwords

Web browsers often save a person’s passwords for convenience, but this can pose a security risk, especially for couples needing to share or redefine their digital boundaries. As a precaution, both partners should change all stored passwords to ensure their online security and privacy. Even when using a password manager, which, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is designed to manage and encrypt passwords securely, updating each individual password regularly is still necessary. This includes all accounts that might be linked to shared devices or computers. 

In addition to updating passwords for websites and applications, couples should also focus on changing their email account passwords. This is critical as email accounts often serve as recovery options for other services. Moreover, they should consider creating new, strong passwords for essential accounts such as Apple ID, Google accounts, and any work-related sign-ins. This approach helps bolster security and protects personal and sensitive information across all platforms. 

Review All Accounts

Couples going through a divorce should review all accounts that may be shared between them, including phone plans and various streaming services for movies, television shows, and music. To help a couple identify all the shared services, they can start by accessing their bank account and organizing transactions by payment type to see which accounts are being billed to their joint or respective accounts. Additionally, they can search their email inbox using keywords like “receipt,” “invoice,” or “payment” to locate any confirmations or transaction details related to those accounts. This process will help ensure that nothing is overlooked and that they have a complete overview of all shared subscriptions and bills.

Review Privacy Settings

When couples go through a divorce, they must carefully examine their online accounts’ privacy settings to understand who can view their personal information. This process involves not only checking the default settings but also identifying any potential sources of exposure. Once they have fully assessed these settings, they should make necessary adjustments to limit access solely to a select group of trusted individuals. This important step is particularly critical on social media platforms, where personal information is often readily shared and may be exposed to a broader audience than intended.

Look into Two-Factor Authentication

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), two-factor authentication enhances security for online accounts by adding an extra step beyond just a username and password. This approach necessitates that users present two distinct forms of identification to access their accounts. Usually, the first factor comprises something the user knows, such as a password, while the second factor is often a physical item the user has, like a smartphone or a security token that produces a temporary code. By requiring two methods of verification, two-factor authentication greatly lowers the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Wipe Devices Clean

Before couples decide to sell, donate, or dispose of their computer and other electronic devices, they should consider wiping off any personal data and restoring them to their original factory settings. This process ensures that sensitive information remains secure and out of reach. However, they will want to verify important files or data are backed up before proceeding, as this process will remove all information from the device. 

What Happens To Shared Accounts?

When a couple decides to establish shared accounts, they must clearly outline this decision in their separation or divorce agreement. This documentation should include detailed information such as the names of each shared account, the corresponding website URLs, and the login credentials, including usernames and passwords, that both parties mutually agree to share. Furthermore, the agreement should elaborate on the reasons for maintaining these shared accounts, whether for financial management, co-parenting responsibilities, or other purposes. It should also define the timeframe during which these accounts will be accessible to both individuals, ensuring that both parties clearly know their rights and responsibilities regarding shared access. To better understand what happens with shared accounts and how they can be impacted after a divorce, reach out to a skilled South Carolina family law attorney at King Law Offices.

Contact King Law Offices Today To Learn More

If you are considering filing for divorce in South Carolina and want to explore your options after a divorce, contact King Law Offices at (888) 748-KING to review your questions with one of our experienced South Carolina family law attorneys.

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