How to Secure Your Online Accounts During a Divorce

During divorce, many people focus on dividing property, arranging custody, and sorting through finances. What often gets overlooked is something just as important: digital security. 

At Ward Family Law Group, we’ve seen how overlooked online accounts can become a source of conflict and stress. Divorce law in North Carolina doesn’t just touch on the physical aspects of separation—it also influences how we think about digital privacy and responsibility.

Your online accounts can hold sensitive financial information, private conversations, shared memories, and access to services that affect both parties. 

Whether it’s email, streaming services, banking, cloud storage, or social media, these accounts carry value and impact. If you're not taking steps to protect access to these platforms, you could be placing your personal data and peace of mind at risk.

We help our clients understand that securing online accounts is just as much a legal matter as it is a personal one. When trust breaks down, so can the boundaries around digital property and privacy. That’s where good decisions guided by solid divorce law come into play.

Digital Property Under Divorce Law

Under North Carolina divorce law, digital assets and information can be considered part of marital property. This means that shared accounts, subscription services, digital media libraries, and even passwords might become points of dispute.

We’ve worked with individuals who shared cloud storage full of family photos or had joint subscriptions tied to the same email. 

When one spouse tried to lock the other out, it created unnecessary tension and led to disputes during mediation or litigation. Securing access doesn’t mean trying to hide assets—it means protecting yourself from unexpected misuse.

We advise our clients to take a thorough look at which accounts are shared and which are individual. This isn’t just about what’s fair—it’s about what’s smart. Divorce law gives courts the ability to divide not only physical items but also rights of access and control.

Changing Passwords Without Breaking the Law

A common question we get is: Can I change my passwords once we separate? The answer depends on the account and its ownership. 

If it’s an account solely in your name, especially something tied to your private financial or communication activity, it’s generally appropriate to update the login information. Divorce law in North Carolina doesn’t prevent individuals from protecting their own data.

That said, if an account is shared, such as a joint bank or household utility login, locking out your spouse may cause unnecessary legal friction. We’ve seen cases where one person tried to gain an upper hand by cutting access, only to have it used against them in court.

What we recommend is that you inform your lawyer before making any significant changes to shared accounts. Divorce law doesn’t look favorably on people who try to hide or manipulate shared information. If there’s concern about misuse, your attorney can help request court orders or temporary agreements about digital property.

Email and Communication Platforms

Your email is often the gateway to all your online accounts. From password resets to bank alerts, everything flows through your inbox. 

During divorce, securing this access becomes critical. If your spouse ever had access to your email—even just to help with family scheduling or bills—there’s a risk they could monitor conversations or gain access to new accounts.

We’ve handled cases where one party was reading private emails without consent. While that behavior may violate privacy laws, it still creates legal distractions. Divorce law doesn’t give either spouse the right to invade private communications, but proving violations can take time. Prevention is better than response.

We urge our clients to create a new email address during divorce for legal correspondence, financial matters, and anything sensitive. Keeping this separate from old, shared accounts helps create a safer space during a stressful time.

Securing Social Media During Divorce

Social media accounts carry not just memories, but also emotional weight. Many couples have joint photo albums, shared friends, and interwoven digital lives. During a divorce, these accounts can become battlegrounds.

Under North Carolina divorce law, posts made during a pending divorce may become evidence. We’ve seen screenshots of private messages, status updates, and even tagged photos introduced in court. Locking down your accounts is more than just protecting your privacy—it’s protecting your legal position.

If your spouse has had access to your social media login or you’ve shared devices, we suggest changing passwords and activating two-factor authentication. This helps prevent unauthorized access that could lead to issues later.

DO NOT DELETE anything once a case has started—divorce law considers that destruction of potential evidence. But you can secure the account and stop posting. The less activity during divorce, the better.

Streaming Services, Smart Devices, and Household Technology

It may seem minor, but shared access to home technology can create real stress. We’ve worked with clients who were still connected to smart thermostats, security cameras, and streaming platforms long after moving out.

Under North Carolina divorce law, there is no requirement to allow access to entertainment services, but disputes can arise when one party feels monitored or excluded. 

Imagine your spouse still adjusting the thermostat remotely or watching your home’s security feed. These situations can cause emotional discomfort and raise privacy questions.

We encourage our clients to audit what’s connected to their household—everything from Alexa devices to Netflix profiles. If you're staying in the marital home, it’s wise to update access settings and remove shared profiles where appropriate. If you're moving out, it’s a good idea to detach your own devices and delete your account history if it's personal.

Divorce law may not spell out every rule for shared digital services, but common sense and boundaries go a long way.

Financial Platforms and Identity Protection

Bank accounts, credit cards, tax platforms, and investment accounts require extra care. During divorce, financial transparency is expected. But so is financial protection. If you’ve ever shared login credentials or used the same computer, you should assume that your spouse may still have access.

We’ve seen situations where one spouse moved funds, changed account recovery information, or attempted to access retirement records without permission. These actions often lead to legal consequences under divorce law. 

At Ward Family Law Group, we help clients protect their accounts while complying with all legal obligations to disclose assets.

In many cases, we recommend closing joint accounts and opening new ones where possible. But always check with your attorney before doing so, especially if court orders are in place. Changing financial accounts during divorce without notice can create suspicion, even if your intentions are innocent.

North Carolina divorce law requires both parties to act in good faith. Securing your finances should not cross the line into hiding money. The best approach is to take protective action with full transparency.

Cloud Storage and Shared Photo Libraries

Photos, videos, and personal files stored online often hold significant sentimental value. Whether it’s Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or another service, many couples have years of memories saved in shared spaces.

During a divorce, deciding what happens to those files can be emotional. North Carolina divorce law doesn’t specifically assign digital memories, but they can be considered part of equitable distribution. If both parties want copies, a fair solution is often to download and archive personal files separately.

We’ve seen cases where one party deleted albums or restricted access out of spite. That kind of behavior tends to reflect poorly during legal proceedings. If your goal is to move forward peacefully, preserving access or creating copies of shared memories—without weaponizing them—often helps reduce conflict.

We always advise clients to back up what’s important before account access becomes a dispute. Just because something is online doesn’t mean it will stay available forever.

Final Thoughts from Ward Family Law Group

At Ward Family Law Group, we help our clients think through every layer of their separation—including the digital ones. We’re proud to serve Cary, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas of Wake County, Durham County, Chatham County, Orange County, Johnston County, and Franklin County. Call today.