Family law

How Do You Save the Other Parent's Public Social Media Posts the Right Way?

Quick answer

Public posts from the other parent can sometimes matter in a custody or parenting case, but only if they are saved carefully and honestly. This guide covers how to capture posts so they stay complete, readable, and easy to explain later.

Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated June 2026

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Saving the other parent's public posts the right way

Capture the whole picture, not just the words

A cropped screenshot of a single sentence is easy to question. When you save a post, try to include the account name, the profile photo, the date and time shown on the post, and the full text or image. If you are on a computer, include the web address bar so the page's location is visible.

Comments, captions, and replies can change what a post means. If the context matters, capture it too. A short screen recording that starts on the person's profile and scrolls to the post can show where it came from more clearly than a single image.

Keep it original and keep a simple log

Do not edit, crop out important details, add markup, or combine images. Save the original file just as you captured it. If you want to highlight something, make a separate copy for your notes and keep the untouched version too.

Keep a log for each item. Write down the date you saved it, the date shown on the post, where you found it, and a sentence on why it matters to your child. Store everything in one dated folder with a backup. Posts can be deleted or changed, so save things when you first see them.

Stay within public content and honest methods

Only save what you can see the normal way. Do not log in to the other parent's accounts, use their password, make a fake profile, ask someone to let you into a private account, or use tricks to view content they have limited. Doing so can create legal problems for you and may keep the material from being used at all.

Do not comment on, react to, or argue with the posts. Engaging can escalate conflict and can be used against you. Also be careful about what you post yourself, since your own public posts can be saved the same way.

Focus on what matters to the court

Courts in custody matters generally focus on the child's best interests. A post is most useful when it connects to something concrete, like safety, a parenting schedule, or a pattern of behavior around the child. Posts that are only embarrassing or unflattering usually carry little weight and can make you look focused on conflict.

The rules on how social media evidence must be shown to be genuine, shared with the other side, and filed vary by state and sometimes by court. Check your state's guide or your local court's self-help resources before relying on saved posts. This is general information, not legal advice, and Onbello is not a law firm.

Tools and resources

Where to check this

Forms, deadlines, and local rules change. Verify anything on this page against the official self-help resources for your state before you rely on it.

This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.