4 Tips To Fight Against Parental Alienation in Orlando, Florida

Unfortunately, some individuals will do anything to “win” a divorce case, including using their children. Using children during a divorce can take many forms, including making false allegations of child abuse, threatening to challenge custody to obtain a favorable property settlement agreement, and parental alienation. 

Sadly, when parents engage in parental alienation and other manipulation involving their children, the child suffers. Parental alienation can cause severe trauma and long-term emotional issues. Knowing how to fight against parental alienation in Orlando, Florida, can help you protect your parental rights and prevent your child from suffering because of their other parent’s wrongdoing. 

What Is Parental Alienation in an Orlando Divorce?

Parental alienation occurs when a parent actively tries to turn a child against the other parent. They “weaponize” the child’s relationship with the other parent by turning a loving, close relationship into hatred, resentment, and separation.

Signs that your child’s other parent is trying to alienate your child from you include, but are not limited to:

  • Your children suddenly do not want to spend time with you.
  • Your child begins to make negative comments about you that sound like something your ex-partner would say to you.
  • Older children intentionally schedule activities when they are scheduled to spend time with you.
  • Your child refuses to acknowledge good memories or your positive relationship with them in the past.
  • Your children only obey and listen to their other parent.
  • Your child mocks you and refuses to show any respect for you as their parent. 
  • Your children distance themselves from anyone associated with you, such as their grandparents on your side of the family, siblings, and friends.

Proving parental alienation can be challenging. However, an Orlando child custody lawyer can help you take steps to protect your children from the effects of parental alienation.

One of the factors judges consider in child custody cases is the demonstrated capacity of a parent to encourage and facilitate a close and continuing parent-child relationship with the other parent. Therefore, proving that your child’s other parent is actively manipulating your child to cause parental alienation could impact the custody decision.

Four Ways To Fight Against Parental Alienation in Orlando, Florida

If you believe your child’s other parent is actively working against your relationship with your child, there are things you can do to fight back. Ways to protect your child include:

Document Attempts of Parental Alienation 

Keep a detailed journal of your ex-partner’s actions to alienate your child. Actions could include:

  • Interfering with time-sharing agreements
  • Making negative and disparaging remarks about you in front of the children
  • Discussing marital problems with children
  • Bribing children not to spend time with the other parent
  • Trying to convince a child that a parent is dangerous 
  • Telling a child that their other parent does not love them or want them
  • Making negative comments about the other parent’s family members
  • Intercepting calls and messages from the other parent to make it appear the parent does not want to talk to the child
  • Undermining the other parent’s authority
  • Not informing a parent of the child’s special events, so the parent misses them

Ensure you include the date and details of each offense by your child’s other parent. The more details you can include, the better for your court case.

Put Your Request To See Your Child In Writing 

Document your attempts to see or contact your child by putting your requests in writing. Text or email your child’s other parent each time you intend to see your child. Keep copies of all responses showing that your ex-partner refuses to allow contact with your child.

Seek Counseling and Therapy 

Locate a therapist or counselor with experience dealing with cases involving parental alienation. Working with a therapist can help identify instances of parental alienation. It also provides additional evidence you can use during a custody battle.

Talk with the therapist about inviting your ex-partner to participate in the counseling sessions. It shows your willingness to co-parent your children effectively. Your ex-partner’s refusal to participate shows their lack of interest in doing what is best for your children. 

Create a Witness List for Your Attorney 

Begin compiling a witness list for your attorney of individuals who can testify about the attempts of parental alienation. You also want to include people who can testify about your relationship with your children before your ex-partner’s actions to alienate your children.

Contact your child’s school, teachers, coaches, and other activity providers to request notice of your child’s events. It shows that you want to be an active participant in your child’s life and helps ensure you are there for important moments in your child’s life.

A Lawyer Can Help You Fight Back Against Parental Alienation

Don’t give up. It can be discouraging when your spouse is actively turning your children against you. 

However, you need to be persistent in your attempts to maintain a relationship with your children. Seeking legal advice from an Orlando child custody lawyer with experience handling cases involving parental alienation can help you take steps to stop the abuse of your children by their other parent. 

Contact Our Child Custody Law Firm in Orlando, FL

Contact the experienced Orlando child custody lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps today for legal assistance. Contact our Orlando, FL office at (407) 898-2161 to schedule a free consultation.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps – Orlando Office
1500 E Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803