Parental Alienation

 

One of the more difficult issues to affect divorcing parties is when there is a claim by one party that the other has engaged in behavior believed to have an alienating effect on the relationship with the child. This can take the form of active efforts to sabotage a parent's relationship, such as bad-mouthing the other parent to the child, or be more passive, such as finding ways to cancel parenting time or over-scheduling activities during the other parent's parenting time.

 

No matter the tactics, the underlying concern is that the actions by the controlling parent undermine the quality of a relationship between the other parent and child, ultimately have the effect of compelling the child to reject the other parent. This is an emotionally complex area and the court often relies on expert opinion from mental health professionals when reviewing such applications. However, when it is clear that one parent is intentionally interfering and harming the other parent's relationship with a child, the court's will usually intervene. This can include modifying parenting time, enjoining the offending party from specific actions, and even changing custody, depending on the severity of the situation and unique facts of the case.

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