Fighting against parental alienation

The feeling of alienation in any situation can have a significant impact in a person’s life. Being cut off from others or shut out of a particular situation is extremely difficult to handle and steadily wears on emotional and physical well-being.

Parental alienation is the deterioration (intentional or unintentional) of a child’s relationship with one of their parents. This unfortunate event is common during or after a divorce but its roots often manifest much earlier when the parents are still together. This can happen in a number of ways including one parent denying the other access to the child or perhaps husband-wife angst fuels the spread of harmful lies. However it plays out, studies show that parental alienation occurs in roughly 15 percent of divorces where children are involved.

Effects of Parental Alienation

Divorce in its own right is an emotionally draining, frustrating, and confusing ordeal but parental alienation’s effect on children is even more concerning.  It has been linked to eating disorders, learning problems, anger issues, and depression; just to name a few. Tragically, parental alienation seems to be on the rise but a silver lining is courts now recognize its effects and are taking action to help correct and remediate the problem.

Parental Alienation in Court

Amicable and shared parenting is proven to be the healthiest post-divorce scenario for children but when parental alienation gets in the way, cases often end up in court and can be difficult to prove. To aid in the process, courts have a few tools with which to assuage the situation:

• An alienating parent can be found in contempt of court and have sanctions imposed against them.
• A court can modify the physical or legal custody arrangement of the child if the court finds a parent’s alienation is causing undo harm.
• Reunification therapy is also a common mandate, in which counselors are secured to aid in reestablishing a child’s relationship with an alienating parent.

How to Fight Back

If parental alienation is present in your family, you have available options to fight back and present your case to the court.

Leverage technology

In a bid to prove parental alienation, ask to see your child through text or email. Physical and visible evidence of your desire to see your child avoids bickering over who said what and shows the court your genuine intent.

Journal It

Make a point to write down dates and times, excuses and situations of instances when you were blocked from seeing your child. The court will use this information in making a decision.

Counseling and Persistence

A family therapist can greatly help identify and end alienation and showing the court you took steps to improve the matter will bolster your case. This is made even better if both parents attend. And don’t give up in matters of alienation. It is very frustrating if your ex blocks your calls or refuses to let you see your child, but your child needs you in her life.

Keep fighting for what you know is right.

For more information on parental alienation solutions, contact Gucciardo Law Firm at (248) 723-5190 or gucciardofamilylaw.com.