How do I stop my ex-spouse from disparaging me with the kids and undermining discipline?
Full Question:
Answer:
The courts in California accept co-parenting agreements between divorced parents. There are workshops and other sessions whihc teach parents the need for cooperative parenting for the best interest of their children.
California's public policy (and one followed by the courts) is that both parents remain involved in their children's lives after divorce, wherever possible. Provided each parent is basically committed to remaining an active figure in their children's lives, the parents may be able to create a new, workable parenting relationship after the parents split up. This means separating the role of parenting from the past role of spouse and creating a new "business-type" relationship.
If your divorce decree contains provisions on how you and your ex-spouse are to conduct themselves when it comes to parenting, then those are orders to be followed by both parents. If one is failing to abide by those orders, the other can bring them back to court with a contempt proceeding requesting enforcement.
If the decree is silent, it may be possible to seek a modification of the orders to require certain standards of behavior when it comes to parenting the children together, or you could seek an order that both attend co-parenting counseling.
Regardles, it may be best to discuss the particular situation with a local attorney who is experienced in post-divorce related matters.
