Stevens Firm - April 2018

Searching for Spring Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better time to get some fresh air. If you are looking for a way to get your family outside and away from their screens, why not plan a spring-themed scavenger hunt? More than just a fun way to spend the afternoon, scavenger hunts build problem-solving skills, encourage teamwork, and get your family to exercise their minds and bodies. Here are some tips on how to plan a memorable family scavenger hunt.

older, responsible sibling on each team to make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules. TAKE PICTURES Since everyone has a camera on their phone, why not use it? By taking pictures, you don’t have to worry about losing anything you find, and your teams can more safely collect certain items. For example, bird feathers are a great item for a spring scavenger hunt, but you don’t want your kids to touch them. Make a rule that a team member must appear in every picture so no one can cheat by finding photos online. Family Scavenger Hunts Made Easy CUSTOMIZE YOUR LIST There are plenty of scavenger hunt lists online, but it’s more fun to brainstorm with your family. Have everyone think of three to five spring- related items, like yellow flowers, a kite, or a rabbit-shaped cloud. Do some research into your local flora and fauna. If you put a bluebird on the list, you might want to make sure there are bluebirds in your area. DON’T FORGET THE PRIZES! Prizes don’t have to be elaborate to be fun. It can be something simple, like Popsicles or fake medals, or maybe the winning team gets to pick a restaurant for dinner. Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to create lasting family memories this spring without breaking the bank. Just get your list, gather your family, and have fun. Happy hunting! of social media can be very casual, and because contacts are labeled “friends,” it’s easy to forget that they are really your audience. Some people may be watching for posts to print or screenshot to hold for leverage later. Once litigation begins, parties are barred from deleting any evidence related to the action pending in family court. Therefore, the best advice for family court litigations is to make sure your passwords are changed, your social media accounts are private, and your friend lists are actually friendly. While it’s true that social media can cause a lot of problems for family court litigants, it doesn’t have to ruin your case. Follow the advice above, and be diligent about sharing your social media posts with your attorney.

PLAY IN TEAMS Your whole family can participate together, but it can also be fun to strike up some friendly competition with teams. Have at least one parent or an

How Social Media Can Wreak Havoc in Your Divorce Case

One of the very first things we have to address in our first meeting with any client is the way that social media can impact their case. Clients are often surprised when we ask to see their Facebook page before we even ask to see their financial information. However, it’s critical to know what a judge may see in an exhibit packet at a temporary hearing. Here are some ways social media can wreak havoc in your divorce case. EVIDENCE OF PARENTING ABILITY More often than not, parents are asked to produce every social media post involving or referencing their children. This may show that one parent is the primary person attending all events while the other is never around. The impact of how a judge may read each of these scenarios varies between courtrooms, but there is often not enough time during a temporary hearing to explain the context of the posts in question. EVIDENCE OF UNREPORTED INCOME Social media is a place for people to show off. If either party claims to have a low income or very little property in their financial declaration, but then brags in social media posts about expensive personal property, it could be the evidence necessary for the court to impute a higher income or call their credibility into question. EVIDENCE OF ADULTEROUS RELATIONSHIPS Text messages, Facebook chats, and Snapchat pictures are now front and center in most affidavits alleging extramarital relationships. The world

2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com

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