In the midst of a child custody dispute, it can feel like your child has turned against you. Some of this may be a natural result of the process, but if your child unfairly criticizes you and shows unfaltering support for the other parent, then you need to take the matter seriously, as this could be a sign of parental alienation.
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation is the process of manipulating a child to turn them against their other parent. For example, one parent might create false stories about the other parent to warp the child’s perception of their other caregiver. This can give the alienating parent evidence to support a custody modification, potentially putting you in a difficult position where your relationship with your child is jeopardized. It’s important to keep in mind that alienation can run the spectrum of severity, too, sometimes even resulting in false allegations of abuse or neglect.
How can you combat parental alienation?
Although parental alienation can be difficult to prove, there are steps you can take to put the court on notice that alienation is in play, which can give you an edge in your custody case. These include:
- Taking notes pertaining to each instance of alienation.
- Securing mental health treatment for your child so that they can speak as to whether alienation is actually occurring.
- Writing down any interactions you have with the other parent.
- Identifying witnesses who can testify about your bond with your child.
- Using the rules of evidence to block certain evidence from being used against you.
Don’t let false allegations disrupt your relationship with your child
If you don’t properly address concerns pertaining to parental alienation, then you could face a poor outcome in your child custody dispute. That’s why if you suspect that parental alienation is in play, now is the time to start gathering evidence and crafting your legal arguments. Only then can you rest assured that you’ve done everything possible to protect your child’s best interests.