When it comes to your children, it is always important to do what is best for them. Unfortunately, this does not always occur. In some cases, after a messy divorce, parents will engage in parental alienation. Parental alienation involves a parent manipulating their child into turning against the child’s other parent. This behavior can have serious psychological effects on the child and is known to cause problems later in life such as depression, substance abuse, and more. Read on to learn more about parental alienation and what you can do about it.
What is Parental Alienation?
Sometimes you may not even be aware that parental alienation is occurring, but it can seriously impact your relationship with your child. Parental alienation may take the form of:
- Passive verbal jabs about the other parent
- Outright badmouthing the other parent
- Pretending to “save” the child from certain situations that the child simply does not need saving from
Children are vulnerable and they may be deeply affected by these behaviors. If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, it is important to take action as soon as possible.
How Can I Prove Parental Alienation?Â
If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, there are a few important steps you should take:
- Document disparaging remarks: For example, if your ex-spouse sends a bitter text or leaves you an angry voicemail, you should document these incidents.
- Record incidents: If your child quotes something their other parent has said, you may want to keep a record of this quote in a journal.
- Preserve social media evidence: Unfortunately, many people post every detail of their lives on social media, meaning your ex may be speaking ill of you on these public platforms. If this occurs, be sure to take screenshots.
- Observe behavior: Sometimes, your child will begin to act differently as a result of parental alienation. This behavior may include violent outbursts or a more distanced demeanor.
What are the Consequences of Parental Alienation?
If you and your attorney can prove to the court that parental alienation, a judge may change your custody arrangement. This is because parental alienation violates the core of your custody agreement, which is to do what is in your child’s best interest.
If you believe you and your child are victims of parental alienation, reach out to our firm today.
Contact our Firm
For over 30 years, The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. has provided quality legal support and representation for clients in Bristol County and all of Massachusetts. Our firm’s experience eases the stress of clients while providing the legal services they deserve. If you need help through a contested divorce, contact The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. for a consultation today.
