Between Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s divorce, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s custody battle, and the defamation allegations between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, it is clear to see how messy publicized family law cases can become. Although the drama is enticing and it can be easy to treat these viral cases like reality TV, there is a lot that can be learned from publicized family law cases, especially if you yourself are about to go through one.
Some of the most vital lessons to take away from the social media buzz are that anything you post can be used against you, mental health and stability are the key focus of the courts in child custody battles, and it is important to never weaponize legal processes. Our firm has assisted clients in Texas for over a decade, and our Arlington, TX child custody lawyer has been recognized among the American Institute of Legal Counsel’s Top 10 for Best Client Satisfaction. If you have a family law matter that you need assistance with, contact the Brandy Austin Law Firm today.
Be Careful What You Say Online
It is not uncommon knowledge to be careful what you say online, but there are only a few circumstances where you realize just how crucial it is to follow that advice, and being testified against in a courtroom is certainly one of them. When you make a comment or post online, regardless of what your intentions may be, it can always be misconstrued into something inappropriate or defaming. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West serve as examples of just how damaging social media involvement in your case can become, as their many rants and emotional outbursts painted them each in an immature light.
Especially in a case that involves child custody, judges are looking for maturity, professionalism, and stability, and if your previous posts showcase something different, it is unlikely that they will rule in your favor. Any time you are thinking of posting on social media, it is important to think of the acronym T.H.I.N.K. This acronym can help you walk through whether your post will be True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and/or Kind. If your post doesn’t fit that criteria, it can easily be up for scrutiny in your family law case.
The Realities Of Custody Battles
Custody battles are challenging regardless of the circumstances, but what made it especially difficult for actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were the lengthiness of the battle and the public eye they were under throughout the process. One of the major takeaways about child custody battles from Jolie and Pitt was that the interest of the children, mental health, and stability are always top of mind for the courts. Pitt had several obstacles in achieving custody, beginning with allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, that proved to be a challenge throughout the case.
The priority of judges in these situations is the child or children causing the custody dispute, so whichever parent seems the most mentally fit and stable is the parent that they will side with. Keeping the child’s interests in mind, being willing to work with the other parent, and presenting a stable home and environment for the child are all important.
Weaponizing The Legal System
Finally, viral family law cases have revealed the consequences of weaponizing the legal system. While it might seem strategic to look for loopholes in the court’s proceedings or use delays and legal filings to attack your opponent, judges can see through these actions to the intentions at the root. An example of this taking place is in the case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp when she filed for divorce and a restraining order right before the release of his new movie. Her public declaration at that purposeful time was her way of using the legal system to hurt him and his career.
As the case went on, the public ultimately took Johnny Depp’s side because of the way she was attempting to defame him, and the judge was given a glimpse into her own emotionally abusive habits. Thus we can see from this legal dispute that you should not try to weaponize the legal system, because it will not typically play out in your favor and often simply reveals character flaws of your own.
Contact Our Attorney For Your Family Law Case
While the viral family law cases that buzz on social media are certainly a source of entertainment, it’s important to look deeper into the cases and see what can be learned from them, especially if you are about to be in a family law case of your own. As a good rule of thumb, regardless of your case, it matters most to be mature, emotionally stable, and protect the image of yourself by choosing your posts, words, and actions wisely. For legal assistance with your family law case, contact the Brandy Austin Law Firm today.
