At times like these, some of our thoughts turn to divorce. Divorce filings spike in times of duress.
The bigger the financial stakes, the deeper the reputational pitfalls before, during and after a divorce.
This is not a pleasant topic. But here is what you need to prepare for if you are a high-end reader and anticipate you may be one of those January statistics:
Media leaks favoring your partner
We have seen strategic media campaigns initiated by a spouse once s/he realizes a divorce filing is imminent. These include society profiles intended to elicit favorable public opinion and generate high visibility. This ensures their partner knows they now face a more formidable opponent.
False accusations via stealth blogging
Accusations of child, financial or substance abuse are just some of the insinuations that spouses can — and do — make anonymously on blogs and other platforms. The goal? Plant seeds of doubt among colleagues, friends and acquaintances before a divorce heads to court. Extortion to receive guarantees of financial awards or child custody before a hearing is often the reason.
Boasting or retaliatory claims via social media
Depending on the prominence of the couple involved, once a partnership ends, it’s the person “left behind” who might choose to air dirty laundry online. The one who feels scorned might share intimate details about the couple’s romantic life, live-blog about a reported mistress or cast aspersions upon the now-ex-partner’s financial or personal image. This could be real, or complete fiction. It doesn’t matter. The impact can be severe.
We’ve seen instances where attorneys representing one of the parties are aware of this planned reputation assassination. They might prepare appropriate actions to counter these reputation attacks to prove the rumors and allegations are untrue.
Too often, we have seen the fallout: Content about a contentious divorce still on the first page of Google results a year or more later.
We hope you do not need this information. If you do, please evaluate the level of reputation risk you, your board affiliations or your organization may face if you find yourself affected by this statistical trend. We’re here if you need us.
