What Is Parental Alienation?
Posted on: 7 July 2022
Many parents assume the bond they have with their children is unbreakable. Sadly, this is not always true, especially when one—or both—parents become victims of parental alienation. Learn more about this painful issue below, and find out when it's time to enlist the help of a family law attorney.
What Is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is a family law issue that occurs when one parent attempts to damage the relationship between their child and the other parent. The goal of parental alienation is to turn the child against the other parent, often through manipulation, lies, and brainwashing. In some cases, the parent may try to completely cut off communication between the child and the other parent.
Parental alienation can happen to the primary parent or the noncustodial parent. Although the other parent is usually part of the alienation attempt, alienation may also occur when a grandparent or other caregiver attempts to turn the kids against their parents.
How Do You Prove Parental Alienation Is Happening?
It can be difficult to prove parental alienation is happening, but there are some signs you can look for, such as:
- Your child suddenly refuses to see or speak to you
- Your child tells you they don't love you
- Your child often quotes the other parent
- Your child tells you the other parent is badmouthing you
- Your child has a sudden change in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive
If you suspect parental alienation is happening, it's important to talk to your family law attorney about your concerns. There are steps you can take to prove that alienation is happening.
What Can You Do About Parental Alienation?
If you're a victim of parental alienation, the first step is to talk to your family law attorney. They can help you understand your legal options and take steps to protect your relationship with your child. In some cases, the court may order counseling for the child and both parents. The goal of counseling is to help the family heal and rebuild their relationship.
Also, some court-appointed therapists offer extensive evaluations for parents. This can help you determine whether your child is being alienated or is simply refusing to speak to you for another reason, such as because they are depressed or having trouble processing the divorce. The alienating party may not willingly agree to take the child to this evaluation, which is why help from a family law attorney is important. Your attorney can file a motion on your behalf to get the evaluation ordered, even if the other party disagrees.
Parental alienation is a difficult issue to deal with, but you don't have to go through it alone. Talk to your family law attorney today to get started on the road to recovery.
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