Table of Contents
What is Parental Alienation?
- Understanding the Parental Alienation Process
- How an Experienced Family Law Team Can Help
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation refers to a parent’s deliberate and persistent effort to manipulate their child into harboring negative feelings towards the other parent (often called the “target parent” in alienation), with the ultimate goal of having the child reject the other parent completely. When a child has a positive pre-existing relationship and bond with the target parent, the behavior by the alienating parent can cause confusion, and it is crucial to recognize that these falsehoods are being instilled by a parent – an authoritative figure whom they naturally trust. When one parent successfully poisons the child’s mind against their former partner by employing a web of half-truths and lies, the child begins to exhibit signs of what is commonly known as parental alienation syndrome.
Understanding the Parental Alienation Process
Parental alienation is a gradual process that usually begins with subtle behaviors. It is often caused by a toxic divorce where disagreements in custody, child support, or spousal support are present. The alienating parent may insinuate the other parent doesn’t care about the child, doesn’t want the child, or abandoned the child. They might limit positive mentions and photographs of the targeted parent around the house and only discuss the target parent in a negative fashion when they are mentioned. As time goes on, the alienation tactics tend to escalate.
Common alienating tactics include:
- Asking the child to choose between the parents
- Scheduling fun activities during the other parent’s parenting time
- Undermining the targeted parent’s rules and authority
- Restricting communication between the child and the targeted parent
- Making vague negative statements about the targeted parents to the child
- Allowing other family members to criticize the targeted parent in front of the child
- Reinforcing the child’s complaints about the other parent
- Reframing positive experiences with the target parent into negative ones
At first, the child may exhibit confusion and internal conflict. But as the brainwashing continues, they often begin demonstrating unwarranted hatred, fear, or hostility towards the targeted parent. In severe cases, the child makes up false allegations of abuse against the parent being alienated. They may refuse contact outright.
This unjustified rejection causes deep emotional wounds for the targeted parent. But the most tragic victim is the child. Parental alienation robs them of a loving and positive parent-child relationship and can set them up for issues like depression, low self-esteem, and substance abuse down the road.
How an Experienced Family Law Team Can Help
Parental alienation cases require skilled legal intervention. Attempting these complex custody disputes without a qualified attorney often does more harm than good.
Non-custodial parents maintain vital responsibilities in their children’s lives, ensuring their well-being, emotional support, and active involvement in important decisions, even without having primary physical custody. They must establish a strong bond, create a nurturing environment, and foster a sense of stability and love for their children’s optimal growth and development.
The family law team at FBA Law Firm helps parents deal with the nightmare of alienation. Our layered team approach combines legal expertise with mental health knowledge. Some ways we assist targeted parents include:
- Documenting all alienating behaviors from the start of a case
- Getting court orders to halt specific alienation tactics
- Requesting guardian ad litem appointments or custody evaluations
- Changing custody arrangements if the child’s best interests are in danger
- Requiring the alienating parent and child to attend counseling or therapy
- Improving communication protocols between co-parents
- Helping the child reconnect with the targeted parent
We also aid falsely accused parents by:
- Gathering evidence to refute abuse or neglect allegations
- Requesting a psychological evaluation of the accusing parent
- Making referrals to other professionals who can assist in refuting false allegations or detect other subversive behaviors of a alienating parent
- Asking for sanctions against the alienating parent
Reversing alienation and rebuilding a damaged parent-child relationship takes time. But in some cases, change occurs quickly after court intervention limits the alienating parent’s access to the child. Each situation has its nuances, which is why custom legal strategies are vital.
Our goal at FBA Law is to minimize trauma and act swiftly to protect the well-being of the child. We have over 25 years of experience serving families impacted by high-conflict splits and toxic alienation campaigns as well as experience on the other side with positive step-parent adoption cases. We are and are committed to the best interest of your family and will work to support you until there is a resolution.
