FYI: Don’t “Hard Launch” Your Divorce

Not every marriage lasts forever, and that’s okay. When a couple makes the decision to divorce, it is usually done in private and behind closed doors. When one or both of the spouses are well-known, they sometimes mutually release a public statement regarding the split, either through traditional press or social media. However, TikToker Victoria Jameson recently took this to another level when she “hard launched” her divorce on January 5 in a short clip.

In the video posted to her account, captioned “Hard launch: I’m divorced,” Jameson announced she’d be featured on the upcoming season of ABC’s dating reality show The Bachelor. Per Business Insider, “’Hard launch’ is an internet slang term that refers to making a public announcement, often about a romantic relationship, in an obvious way, as opposed to a ‘soft launch,’ in which the news is hinted at more subtly.”

Appearing on a dating television show is not considered subtle, so hard launch it is. Business Insider also noted she posted follow-up video of her sitting at her laptop with the caption reading, “Deciding to date on reality TV knowing my ex-husband and his entire family will see it.”

So far Jameson has been met with overwhelming support – and hundreds of thousands of views on her TikTok.

Do you really need to announce your divorce?

This is actually a more complicated question than you think.

Don’t worry, however; you absolutely do not, and should not, make a TikTok about your divorce. Talking about divorce matters on social media can only serve to hurt your case, even if you think what you’re talking about is innocent and entertaining. Bottom line? If you need social media clout, adopt a cute dog or cat instead.

Generally, you don’t need to make any big, public announcements about your divorce unless you choose to. If you do choose to do so, however, ensure you are not blindsiding anyone involved – especially your spouse and family. This could greatly work against you during divorce proceedings. Taking Ms. Jameson’s videos into consideration, even though we really don’t know much about her marriage, if she and her ex-husband were in a hypothetical child custody battle, the court would likely not look kindly on her public Bachelor announcements.

Guidelines for announcing your divorce

If you decide to announce your divorce, either separately or along with your ex-spouse, it’s best to do so after all paperwork is filed and the divorce is finalized. As we stated earlier, anything you post online can be used against you in court proceedings, so be cautious. Whatever you choose to do, consider the following:

• Remember who might be reading. What might seem lighthearted and funny to you might come across as distasteful or even offensive to someone else. Will your children see your announcement or post? What about your ex’s family? Be mindful of your audience.
• You don’t need to go big. Fanfare is fine for a wedding announcement, but celebrating a divorce isn’t for everyone (although, for some, it can be). If you would rather go the more subtle route, sending out a change-of-address or holiday card with a photo of your updated household can get the message across.
• Don’t go TOO public. Unfortunately, many scammers are out there looking for newly single people to take advantage of. Some will scour social media and online dating accounts looking for all the details in order to get close to someone emotionally and financially vulnerable.
• Do what’s right for you and your family. Above all, do what you feel is right to protect yourself and your children. Most of the time this simply involves keeping your private life private.

Do remember that you will need to “announce” your divorce to certain financial and other institutions, especially if you plan to change your name. These can include, depending on the circumstances:

• Your bank
• Your employer
• Your passport office
• Your mortgage company
• The post office
• Utility and other providers

If you are going through a divorce, or thinking about getting divorced, an experienced family law attorney can help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

What a Charlotte divorce attorney can do for you

Your divorce attorney can help you plan your divorce, establish your goals for the future, and advocate for you throughout the entire process, setting you up for success and independence. This includes:

• Giving you a thorough and realistic view of your situation. We can go over your current finances, talk about your goals regarding child custody, spousal support, and property division, and come up with an initial divorce agreement to present to your spouse.
• Answering all your questions about the divorce process. We know you likely have a lot of questions about what might happen – how long will your divorce take? Will your spouse fight you on your requests? Will there be a custody battle? We will provide as much information as we can, as often as we can. Our attorneys pride themselves on keeping in contact with our clients so they always know the status of their case.
• Protecting you and your children. If a divorce turns high-conflict or even puts you and your children in danger, our lawyers can help. We can continue working on your divorce by communicating only through legal counsel, ensuring that you and your spouse do not have to speak to or see each other. In cases where you and your children’s safety are at risk, we can file an order of protection.
• Helping you transition to your new life. A good divorce attorney also helps you move on to the next phase of your life – ensuring you know what to do financially and have the right resources to move on independently.

The Charlotte family law attorneys at Epperson Law Group, PLLC are here to help if you are thinking about or going through a divorce. We have the experience and the resources to walk you through the process with confidence and knowledge. Get in touch with our offices today to find out what we can do to make things easier for you and your family during this stressful time. Set up a consultation by giving us a call or filling out our contact form or calling our offices. We serve clients in Charlotte, Boone, Weddington, and Concord.