When a couple separates or gets divorced the issue of child custody can have a significant impact on the lives of both the spouses and their children. A New Jersey court will rule in the best interest of the child but sometimes the parents’ behavior becomes an issue later on. If one parent is engaging in parental alienation it can have an impact on the child custody arrangement. Our Sussex County, Sparta child custody attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the legal process of requesting custody due to parental alienation. Reach out to an experienced lawyer today.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is a strategy that one parent might take against the other. When using parental alienation they may intentionally display negativity toward the other parent in an attempt to damage the relationship between them and their child. By speaking badly about the other parent or concocting lies, they are manipulating the child into believing that their other parent is a bad person and that they do not want to be around them.
The parent who is attempting to alienate the child from the other may make frequent disparaging remarks about them, create lies about things they have done, emphasize their flaws, and attempt to prevent them from seeing the child. They may also encourage the same behavior in their child by rewarding them when they make similar comments or refuse to see their parent.
What Are the Signs of Parental Alienation?
While these may be related to other issues in your family life, the following may be indicative of potential parental alienation.
- The other parent denies you access to your child
- Your child begins acting hostile toward you and your relatives
- Your child rebels against you and anything you say or do
- Your child sides with the other parent and has an idealized view of them
- Your child accuses you of behavior or things that are not true
If you notice that your child is acting differently towards you it could simply be a side effect of their changing circumstances and sadness about the split of their family. However, if they are becoming increasingly aggressive in their actions toward you and show unexpected signs of disrespect, hatred, or indifference, it may be a sign that their other parent is poisoning the well against you.
How Can Parental Alienation Impact Custody?
Parental alienation can actually backfire on the alienating parent. The priority of any family court is to ensure that the best interests of the child are protected. Parental alienation can be seen as a violation of this concept, particularly when the alienating parent disregards the custody order to prevent the child from seeing their other parent.
If you can prove that your co-parent is engaging in alienating behavior, you may be able to have the custody agreement altered. The court may shift custody entirely to you or create a new parenting plan that limits the amount of time the other parent has with the child.
