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Riverside Parental Alienation Lawyer

Divorce can have an impact on children. It can worsen when parents use the children as pawns in Divorce and Paternity cases to gain an upper hand, or simply for vengeful or selfish reasons. We see the term ”Parental alienation” in Family Law and Divorce when a parent does the following:

  • Hides the child from the other parent without disclosing his/her whereabouts
  • Attempts to brainwash the child by saying negative things about the other parent
  • Will not allow the child contact by phone or in person with the visiting parent
  • Threatens the child - should the child tell the other parent anything that has occurred
  • Makes false allegations concerning the other parent or the other parents new significant other
  • Tells or threatens the child to behave a certain way in an effort to gain custody and support
  • Moves the child away or out of state in an effort to alienate the child from the parent
  • Will not allow social communications with the other parent via Skype, or cell phone, or video conferencing
  • Does not provide a residential address for the child
  • Directs hatred towards the childs extended family and/or step-parent

The term Parental Alienation Syndrome was derived in the 1980's by a child psychiatrist. Essentially it was eluded to one parent in a child custody matter separating the child from the other parent, typically in a divorce setting, and in an attempt to punish the other parent. The actual "syndrome" was defined in 1985 and entitled PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome).

At the time studies were conducted it was determined that there are various levels from mild to moderate to severe. Typical traits of a child affected may include hatred against the targeted parent; weak, absurd, or frivolous rationalizations for this deprecation and hatred; lack of the usual ambivalence about the targeted parent; strong assertions that the decision to reject the parent is theirs alone (the "independent-thinker phenomenon"); reflexive support of the favored parent in the conflict; lack of guilt over the treatment of the alienated parent; use of borrowed scenarios and phrases from the alienating parent; and the denigration not just of the targeted parent but also to that parent's extended family and friends.

The effects of parental alienation on the child and the acting parent can be negative, long term and costly as well. It may lead the affected parent back to court incurring legal costs, expert witness pyschological evaluations fees, possibly with attorneys fees payable by the alienating parent. Courts, Psychologists and mediators may not look favorably on a parent provoking parental alienation hence an unfavorable award in the court.

When facing a parental alienation dilemma, call our family law office to discuss your rights. It may be necessary to motion the court to reveal that such detrimental behavior is happening, minimizing any long term effects on your child and your future relationship with your child.

Call our office at (888)513-5924 or (951)643-8541 to discuss your family law parental rights.