Question about searches that turn up identity of kids in legal filings

June 9, 2020 5:12 AM

So I may take a political job that will very likely result in real blowback. Right now I've deleted and limited all my social media presence to reduce identifiability and the effects on other people. My worry is someone finding recent custody and support filings to get at children whose lives I do not participate in. How findable are these based on a person's name?
posted by anonymous to Law & Government (4 answers total)

Mod note: Note: since the question doesn't say, I would assume this is in the US. OP, if you are not in the US, contact us for an edit.
posted by taz (staff) at 5:14 AM on June 9, 2020

Anecdotally, when I Google someone's name, I usually see these types of filings on the first or second page of results. You typically have to pay to see the detailed versions of filings, but you can see the summary info for free on a number of websites.

Note that even if you can minimize search results based on your name, they will likely be easily found under your ex-spouse's name.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:24 AM on June 9, 2020

Hiring someone to do this research proactively is the best way to know what is out there.
Perhaps someone in your party organization has opposition research contractors they can recommend.
posted by Glomar response at 6:27 AM on June 9, 2020 [6 favorites]

I would consult an attorney (your divorce attorney, it sounds like?). It varies by jurisdiction, but the full names and locations (and similar identifying information) of children should generally be redacted in family court (and most other court) records. If they are not, the lawyer can probably either get that cleaned up (if it's formally against the rules) or can petition the relevant court to get them redacted. Unless there's some unusual factor at play here, courts are generally quite sensitive to minor privacy issues.
posted by praemunire at 1:29 PM on June 9, 2020