What Should I Do if My Ex is Turning My Child Against Me? 

 Posted on April 24, 2025 in Child Custody

Most people do not expect divorce to be easy, including the process of adjusting to life after divorce. Unfortunately, for some people, their lives become even more difficult than they expected when their former spouse tries to actively bias their shared children against them. If you are reading this blog, chances are that you are worried that your former spouse is doing this to you.

If you are concerned about the impact of potential parental alienation on your relationship with your child, contact a Miami, FL child custody lawyer with our firm right away. We take client concerns seriously and will discuss your options with you.

What is Parental Alienation? 

Very few states encode the meaning of parental alienation into law, but the concept is well understood in terms of the kinds of behaviors that most people consider parental alienation – and family law courts in Florida do not like to see parents doing it.

Why? Because the most important job that parents have, both during and after divorce, is to raise and protect their children. Parental alienation – or, rather, the behaviors associated with this term – is antithetical to raising a child who can have a healthy, productive relationship with both parents.

Although every case of parental alienation is different, behaviors indicating that a parent is trying to alienate a child from his or her other parent often include: 

• Revealing highly personal problems about the parents’ relationship, including reasons the parents got divorced

• Complaining about the other parent constantly

• Expressing exaggerated concerns about the other parent’s trustworthiness in front of the child 

• Coaching a child to say things intended to offend or distance the other parent

• Refusing the child access to the other parent 

• Encouraging the child not to attend parenting time with the other parent 

What Can I Do About Parental Alienation? 

As difficult as it may be, your best bet – at least until you can get your child custody order changed – is to continue being the best parent you can be. Do not engage with your child in discussions about private subjects related to your marriage, and do not badmouth the other parent. Do not retaliate against your ex in kind.

However, you are not powerless. Keep records of behaviors from your child and your child’s other parent that are indicative of alienation; evidence is crucial if you hope to persuade a judge that your relationship with your child is being harmed. Courts are dedicated to ensuring that a child’s best interests are being served and are generally hesitant to modify child custody arrangements without good reason. And as soon as possible, contact a family law attorney who can discuss your case with you.

Call Our Miami, FL Child Custody Lawyers Now

Even though parental alienation is not encoded in Florida law per se, the term describes a set of behaviors that courts find very concerning. Call Miami Family Law Group, PLLC at 305-520-7874 and let our experienced Miami, FL divorce order enforcement attorneys help you determine your options and take action.