Is your ex causing child custody trouble?

There’s no way to predict which marriages will end in divorce. Whether you and your spouse experienced a steady decline before you ultimately made a decision to end your relationship or a specific event or situation prompted an immediate decision, as a parent, your primary concerns no doubt centered on your children. Perhaps, like many Texas parents who have gone through similar experiences, you were determined to help your kids adapt to a new lifestyle with as little disruption as possible.

If you and your ex are able to work as a team and cooperate for the sake of your children’s well-being, you might be able to navigate a post-divorce lifestyle in an uneventful manner, for the most part. However, if your ex is set on causing problems and has been trying to turn your children against you, it can not only cause stress but legal problems, as well.

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Parental alienation may be difficult to prove

A child’s reaction to divorce is unique, according to his or her age, personality, and maturity level. One of your children might become subdued or withdrawn while another demonstrates feelings of anger or sorrow. There’s no way to predict with 100% certainty how your children will act when you inform them that you and your spouse have filed for divorce.

While it’s not uncommon for children to show frustration or anger toward one or both parents in such circumstances, you may have a bigger problem on your hands if you notice evidence that your ex is systematically trying to turn your kids against you.

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Signs of parental alienation

How can you tell whether your kids are reacting in a typical way to your divorce or, perhaps, are being exploited and manipulated by their other parent? The following list includes signs that might suggest that your ex has an agenda and is trying to turn your kids against you:

• Your child doesn’t want you to tell your ex about a nice time you’ve had together.
• Your kids are frequently saying negative things about you, perhaps blaming you for the divorce.
• When it’s your scheduled time to have your children in custody, they don’t want to be with you.
• Your ex denies your children access to you when they are at his or her house.
• Your ex refuses to transfer custody at the agreed-upon location and time.
• You have evidence that someone is lying to your children about you.

When there’s a child custody order in place, both you and your ex must fully adhere to its terms. It’s not uncommon for parents who divorce to disagree about issues concerning their children. It is unlawful, however, to disregard a court order or to deny children access to a parent when that parent has visitation privileges.
You should never hesitate to reach out for support if you suspect that your ex is trying to keep your kids from you, or is telling them lies or exhibiting behavior that suggests that he or she is trying to turn the kids against you.