Many separated or divorced parents feel uneasy when their ex introduces a new romantic partner to their children. You may worry about the amount of time your children spend with this person, the influence they may have, or what message this sends about your ongoing place in your child’s life. These feelings are entirely normal. But the legal question is different: can you prevent your ex from introducing your children to a new partner?
Can I Keep My Ex’s New Partner Away from My Kids?
Generally, the answer is no. Courts consistently hold that each parent has the right to form new relationships, and unless a court order expressly prohibits it, you usually cannot restrict your ex from having a new partner around the children during their parenting time. Courts presume that parents act in their child’s best interests and are entitled to decide who can be around the child when in their care.
That said, there are limited circumstances where a court may intervene. These include situations where there is a specific clause in a parenting agreement that deals with when and how new partners may be introduced. If such a clause exists, a court can enforce it. Another exception arises where the new partner poses a demonstrable risk to the child’s physical or emotional safety, such as a history of violence or substance abuse. Courts will intervene where there is evidence of harm, or if a new partner is causing documented emotional or psychological distress to the child.
Be careful, as parental discomfort or dislike is not enough. Many common concerns (feeling replaced, believing it is too soon, worrying about lifestyle differences) do not create a legal basis to block exposure. Courts emphasize that both parents are entitled to move forward with their lives, and adult emotional reactions cannot dictate parenting-time decisions unless the child is genuinely impacted.
An Ontario case released in 2025, Berkovich v. Salz, illustrates how carefully courts guard against unnecessary interference in parenting dynamics. In that case, a non‑parent (the father of one child who had a close relationship with another child in the household) attempted to be added as a party in a parenting dispute because he feared a change in the parenting schedule would disrupt the family dynamic. The court refused, finding that he had no legal interest, had not demonstrated a settled intention to treat the child as part of his family, and that his involvement flowed from scheduling convenience rather than parental responsibility. The judge noted that while blended families and cooperative co‑parenting arrangements can create emotional complexity, changes in relationships (such as a parent forming a new partnership) are common and do not justify legal intervention unless the child’s best interests are affected.
The reasoning in Berkovich v. Salz aligns with the principles governing new‑partner introductions: emotional unease, speculation, or fear about changing family dynamics does not give rise to legal restrictions. Courts will not expand litigation or limit parental autonomy unless there is clear, evidence‑based risk to the child(ren)’s well-being or a binding contractual clause.
If you are concerned about the timing or method of your ex’s introduction of a new partner, focus on what the courts consider legally meaningful: the child’s best interests. Raise concerns using child‑focused language, not personal discomfort. Consider gradual introductions, age appropriate explanations, and consistent reassurance. If you fear an actual risk to your child’s safety or well‑being, document specific incidents and consult a family lawyer.
But in most cases, the law requires parents to adapt as family structures evolve. The presence of a new partner, like other changes that arise after separation, must be managed cooperatively, unless there is a clear legal basis to do otherwise.
