Child alienation, sometimes referred to as parental alienation, happens when one parent tries to influence a child’s feelings toward the other parent negatively. Such behavior can be damaging to the child and can cause significant disruptions in the relationship between them and the target parent.
If you believe your co-parent is manipulating your child to turn them against you, contact a Southbury child alienation lawyer at our firm. Our experienced child custody attorneys can bring the behavior to the attention of the court and present evidence proving that your co-parent’s conduct is contrary to your children’s best interests.
A parent who engages in alienating conduct can bring a child into a dispute between ex-partners. This behavior can take many forms. The alienating parent may disparage their co-parent by sharing information that reflects negatively on the co-parent and is not necessary or age-appropriate for the child to have.
In other cases, an alienating parent may falsely accuse the co-parent of abuse or other forms of destructive behavior with the intent of instilling fear in the child. An alienating parent may refuse to make a child available for visits, encourage the child to refuse to see their other parent, or disrupt parenting time between the child and the target parent.
When one parent is engaging in alienating conduct, the co-parent may notice the child withdrawing or being uncharacteristically angry or uncooperative. A parent experiencing this should not blame the child, disparage the other parent, or try to get the child to tell on the other parent. Instead, they should note all signs that the child’s other parent may be engaging in alienating behavior and share the information with their Southbury attorney.
Connecticut family court judges make all decisions concerning children based on the children’s best interests. Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56(c)(7) lists multiple factors a judge may consider when deciding a child’s best interests. Among them is an evaluation of whether a parent has the capacity to support a child’s relationship with the other parent.
Every judge approaches a custody decision with their own view of what is most important. However, the ability to work cooperatively with the other parent is typically a quality that family court judges value. Similarly, judges often seek to place children with a parent who can put their feelings and needs aside to offer optimal support.
A Southbury attorney can use evidence one parent is actively attempting to undermine the other to demonstrate an unwillingness to cooperate in support of the children’s best interests. Similarly, a target parent could ask the court to order a psychological evaluation for the child or the other parent to determine whether alienating conduct has occurred. The judge will decide how much weight to give the information.
Parents might come across the term “parental alienation syndrome” when researching how to repair the relationship with a child who has become withdrawn or hostile. Asserting that a child suffers from this syndrome can do more harm than good in a custody case.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the authoritative source describing recognized mental health conditions. It does not recognize parental alienation syndrome. There remains significant controversy about whether the constellation of symptoms associated with what some practitioners call parental alienation syndrome is truly a distinct, recognizable mental health condition.
Parents are more likely to achieve the results they seek when they can point to recognized disorders in their children, such as depression or anxiety. Similarly, when the parent engaging in alienating behavior has a recognized mental health diagnosis, that fact is more likely to persuade a judge than allegations that a child is suffering from parental alienation syndrome. A parent benefits when a Southbury lawyer can present verifiable and evidence-based information about how the other parent’s alienation-related conduct impacts a child.
Parental alienation can be effective in damaging the relationship between the target parent and the child. The child’s long-term well-being depends on the target parent recognizing and stopping this behavior as soon as possible.
Contact one of our Southbury child alienation lawyers when you suspect your co-parent is trying to turn your child against you. We have substantial experience in this area of law, and we are eager to help. Reach out today.
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