Written by Jonathan Breeden
Business owners, local community members, and political candidates are all under a microscope. When they get fired, break the law, or file for divorce, news outlets report it for everyone to see.
These unfortunate events can negatively impact a public figure’s reputation and may limit career opportunities until media publicity dies down.
The best way to prevent your high-profile divorce from becoming a damaging headline is to keep it discreet. Luckily, there are several ways to protect your privacy and limit media attention.
Divorces don’t have to be a court battle, which increases the likelihood of public exposure. Mediation is an excellent option for those looking for a less contentious divorce. In mediation, a neutral third party helps you and your spouse negotiate various decisions, such as child custody, asset distribution, and alimony.
Once everything is agreed upon, a separation agreement will be drafted for you to sign, including all the decisions you made in mediation. You should still hire a divorce lawyer to assist you in finding a reputable mediator and remind you of your rights.
When spouses are on the same page, they can limit the media scrutiny that may ensue during or after the divorce. You and your spouse should have a unified response to the media if word of your divorce gets out. This helps you control the narrative and prevents you and your spouse from making contradictory statements.
All divorce records in North Carolina are public, and anyone can obtain a copy for the small price of a quarter per page. However, there is a way for you to prevent these records from going public.
When you draft your separation agreement, you can include a clause stating that your agreement can’t be incorporated into your divorce. If the agreement is not incorporated in the divorce, it remains off the public record.
This may seem like an obvious tip to keep your divorce discreet; however, it’s easy for emotions to run high in these cases. You should avoid venting about your divorce and commenting negatively about your spouse on social media. Doing so will only hurt your reputation.
Further, you should never post any confidential information about divorce proceedings online. Although court information will eventually be public record, it’s best not to openly share it if you wish to maintain privacy.
You should know that as a public figure, the media watches your moves closely, especially if you’re a politician or the head of a large company. Being mindful of this fact is vital, and you should be careful when making statements in public areas that might be misconstrued and used against you.
In fact, it might be wise to avoid public places in general, depending on your level of influence. The media might catch you walking out of a building and bait you into sharing details of your divorce.
When you don’t prepare for a high-profile divorce, it could affect you in ways including:
High-profile divorces require special considerations to limit media exposure and avoid causing damage to your reputation. The divorce attorneys at Breeden Law Office will handle all aspects of your high-profile divorce and walk you through each step of the process.
Contact our office today at (919) 661-4970 to get started on your case.