Being a parent is one of the most important roles in life — and nothing is more painful than feeling your child is being turned against you. When that distancing is caused by a spouse deliberately undermining your relationship with your child, this is known as parental alienation. While Ohio law doesn’t have a statute labeled “parental alienation,” the courts recognize that a parent’s actions can interfere with your legal rights and your child’s best interests.
What Parental Alienation Looks Like
Parental alienation happens when one parent consistently tries to damage a child’s relationship with the other parent without a valid reason, such as safety concerns. Common examples include:
Speaking negatively about you in front of your child
Encouraging refusal of visits or calls
Ignoring court-ordered parenting time
Making false claims or accusations against you
Limiting your communication with the child
This is more than typical disagreements; it’s a pattern that can seriously harm your relationship with your child.
Ohio Law: Custody and Parenting Time
In Ohio, custody and parenting time are governed by the Ohio Revised Code, primarily Chapter 3109. Courts decide based on the child’s best interests, which generally include maintaining a strong and healthy relationship with both parents whenever possible.
When a parent interferes with visitation or attempts to alienate a child, the court may consider this a significant change in circumstances. This can form the basis for modifying custody or parenting time orders to protect the child’s relationship with both parents.
Legal Steps You Can Take
If you are experiencing parental alienation, there are several steps you can take under Ohio law:
1. Keep Detailed Records
Document everything, including missed visits, blocked calls, texts, emails, and any other evidence showing interference. Accurate records are critical for showing the court a clear pattern of alienating behavior.
2. File a Motion in Court
You can ask the court to:
Enforce an existing parenting time order
Modify parenting time or custody
Change custody if the alienation is severe
Ohio courts have the authority to adjust parenting orders when circumstances change to ensure the child’s best interests are met.
3. Request a Guardian ad Litem
The court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to investigate the situation and make recommendations. A GAL can provide an objective perspective on whether alienation is occurring and how it affects the child.
4. Counseling or Reunification Therapy
In some cases, the court may order counseling or reunification therapy to repair the parent-child relationship and reduce the effects of alienation.
5. Contempt of Court
If a parent is actively violating a court order — for example, preventing visits — the court can hold them in contempt, which can include fines, makeup visitation, or other penalties.
Can Alienation Affect Custody Decisions?
Yes. Ohio courts consider each parent’s willingness to foster a healthy relationship with the other parent as part of the child’s best interests. Severe alienation that harms the child’s emotional well-being can lead the court to adjust custody, including potentially changing the residential parent.
Final Thoughts
Parental alienation is painful, but the law provides tools to address it. Early documentation and prompt legal action increase your chances of protecting your relationship with your child.
If you believe your former spouse is interfering with your parenting time or turning your children against you, contact The Miller Firm. We can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and pursue every available legal remedy to protect your relationship with your child.