In 2024, Who Gets Custody of the TikTok Account in a Divorce?

Divorces have always involved disputes over kids, homes, and assets. Now, social media is another battleground.

With the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, more couples build their lives—and sometimes their businesses—around shared accounts. When a split happens, they must decide who gets to keep the account and its valuable follower base, which may number in the thousands, or even millions. In 2024, divorcing couples find themselves debating over these digital assets, adding a new layer of complexity to the separation process. Followers, after all, bring in revenue, and holding onto that community is essential for continued success as a content creator. For attorneys, navigating these new conflicts requires creativity and an understanding of social media dynamics.

Could TikTok Accounts Be the New Custody Battle?

It may sound surprising, but shared custody over a social media account is now a real issue. Take the example of Kat and Mike Stickler, an American couple who amassed close to 4 million followers by sharing their lives on TikTok and YouTube. Their success led to partnerships with brands and a steady income stream. But when they split, the question arose: who should retain the TikTok account and its millions of followers?

In cases like these, it's not just about who started the account but who contributed most to its growth. For Kat Stickler, she argued in a podcast interview that she was the main driver behind their shared account's success. The court ruled in her favor, and she kept the TikTok account, rebranding it to fit her new solo identity. Kat retained her followers, and even expanded her base to over 10 million followers, landing more brand deals and sustaining her online career. Mike, on the other hand, received their YouTube account, but it eventually dwindled in activity.

In 2024, social media has become a true professional asset, and accounts with large followings are viewed as valuable business properties. As more people build personal brands, social media accounts are likely to be as much a part of divorce settlements as houses or cars. Legal experts and influencers alike are coming to grips with the fact that online identities and audiences can't simply be split down the middle.