Table of Contents
What is Parental Alienation?
- Understanding the Parental Alienation Process
- How an Experienced Family Law Team Can Help
What is Parental Alienation?
A premarital agreement is a written contract entered into by a couple before marriage or a civil union and is a part of Georgia separation laws. It enables them to select and control many of the legal rights they acquire upon marrying and dictates what happens when their marriage ends by divorce. These agreements typically list the property each person owns, and the debts they owe, and spell out each person’s property rights during the marriage and in the event of divorce. They can also affirm, modify, or waive a marital right or obligation during the marriage, at separation, marital dissolution, or other events.
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.
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.
