It’s not uncommon for parents to experience parental alienation after a divorce, especially when kids are involved. However, when one parent begins to deliberately alienate the other parent from their child’s life, it can have a profound and lasting impact on the family.

If you are going through a divorce in Florida and are concerned about parental alienation, here’s what to do and how to get the legal help you need.

Understand What Parental Alienation Looks Like

First, it is important to understand what parental alienation looks like. Parental alienation is a serious problem that can occur after a divorce when one parent deliberately tries to turn the child against the other parent. This can be done through badmouthing, making false accusations, or preventing the child from seeing the other parent.

There are several signs that may indicate that parental alienation is occurring, such as:

• The child suddenly starts acting differently towards the targeted parent, without any obvious reason.
• The child begins to express negative feelings towards the targeted parent that they didn’t have before.
• The child starts refusing to see or spend time with the targeted parent.
• The child starts making false accusations against the targeted parent.

Collect Evidence of Alienating Behavior

If you suspect that your ex is engaging in parental alienation, it is important to document their behavior. Keep a journal of any incidents and make sure to date them. Be as specific as possible when describing the behaviors you observed. It can also be helpful to take photos or videos of the behaviors if possible. If you have any witnesses who saw the behaviors, make sure to get their contact information as well. This evidence will be crucial if you need to take legal action against your ex later on.

Encourage Your Child To See a Counselor

One of the best ways to prevent parental alienation is to encourage your child to see a counselor. A counselor can help your child understand and process the divorce, as well as provide support and guidance during this difficult time. The sooner you address the issue, the better chance you have of preventing further damage.

Reach Out To a Veteran Florida Divorce Attorney

If you believe your spouse is engaging in parental alienation, it’s important to reach out to an experienced divorce attorney. A qualified attorney can help you collect evidence of alienating behavior and build a strong case to present to the court. Contact Kevyn Noonan Hayes, P.A. now by calling 239-591-6248.