Social media blunder could cost NBA star custody

by | Jan 4, 2016 | Child Custody, Firm News |

Many California residents share their experiences with friends and family members on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and they are likely aware that posting questionable or controversial content can sometimes lead to disaster. Celebrities and ordinary people alike have seen their lives left in rubble by ill-advised social media posts, and media outlets have reported that the basketball star Gilbert Arenas may soon be joining them.

Arenas was selected as an NBA All-Star three times during a glittering career with teams including the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies, but he has not always been as successful in his personal life. The latest setback for Arenas occurred in December 2015 when he posted a video on Instagram that showed his 8-year-old son riding unrestrained on the hood of a performance car. Arenas subsequently deleted the 15-second video, but the damage had already been done.

After learning about the video, his ex-wife filed court papers seeking to have the amount of time Arenas can spend with the couple’s four children reduced. The video is the latest story to emerge from the couple’s contentious divorce that has featured accusations from the former Mrs. Arenas that her husband deliberately infected her with an STD and fathered an illegitimate child. Arenas filed a lawsuit against his former wife after she made these allegations.

Inappropriate or incriminating social media content is becoming more and more common in divorce and child custody cases, and family law attorneys may scour the most popular sharing platforms to see if there are any messages, images or videos that could hurt or help their clients. During an initial consultation, attorneys may advise their clients to visit their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles and remove any inflammatory posts before initiating divorce proceedings.