Breaking up is hard to do. How social media can make it even harder.

Breaking up is bad enough - and bad behavior on social media can turn it into a nightmare.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for wounded exes to resort to public battle on social media, posting sordid details of the marriage that led to the divorce which often results in permanent damage, not only to the accused, but to innocent children, family members, friends and colleagues. While you can’t control what others do, Paralegal Patricia Palmer has the following advice if you’re contemplating or going through a divorce:

* Consider going dark. Removing yourself from Facebook or similar sites is the only way to be sure that you have no status updates or online pictures that can be used against you in litigation.

* Think twice about everything you post. Assume that seemingly innocuous posts will be interpreted in the worst way by an opposing legal team.

* Contemplate who your friends and followers are. If you decide to remain on social media websites bear in mind that anyone who has knowledge of information you have shared online could be subpoenaed to testify in your divorce or custody proceedings.

* Your status update or tweet should never include the words “my attorney said.” Not only is it poor judgment to share the legal advice you receive with others, you could potentially be waiving attorney-client privilege by sharing this information with the world.