duty of lawyer when client is engaging alienating child

by Karelle Schroeder 5 min read

Can a lawyer help a parent fight against parental alienation?

Our lawyers have successfully represented parents who fought against alienation of their children and have, on extreme cases, secured court orders to take custody completely away from the alienating parent. What has that experience taught us about parental alienation?

What is parental alienation in a custody case?

Parental alienation occurs when one parent undermines the authority of the other. In an ideal custodial arrangement, the parents (though living separate and apart), are a united front when it comes to the children's education, safety, welfare and activities.

Can a malicious parent alienate a child from the other parent?

Our California child custody lawyers have seen our share of malicious parents attempting to alienate a child or children from the other parent. We enjoy defeating them in court.

How do you alienate a child from a parent?

Telling a child to call the alienating parent's significant other "Dad" or "Mom", depending on which parent is doing the alienating. Allowing the belief that the child has two dads or two moms to become ingrained in this child. This is done by using others (including the supposed second father or mother) to perpetuate this influence on the child.

How do judges look at parental alienation?

In a case involving parental alienation, the court will pay extra attention to what drives a child's negative actions toward a parent. The behavior might be based on experience, or it could be unfounded and imprinted by the alienator. This is where the documented evidence comes into play.

What do you do when one parent is alienating the other?

Dealing with parental alienation through the family courtContempt of court – A court can find the alienating parent in contempt of court and impose sanctions against them.Custody modification – This is where the courts change the physical or legal custody of the child if they believe the alienation is causing harm.More items...

How do you respond to parental alienation?

To stop parental alienation, work to maintain a positive, loving relationship with the child so that the child feels safe with you. Consider speaking with the other parent about behaviors you've noticed. If the alienation continues, consider parenting classes, therapy, and going to the Court for help.

How do you make a case for parental alienation?

Ways That You Can Prove Parental Alienation in CaliforniaKeep Detailed Records. You need records of every conversation and interaction with your child's other parent. ... Preserve Social Media Evidence. Make copies of all posts and comments made through social media. ... Identify Witnesses. ... Follow Your Family Lawyers Advice.

Is parental alienation a crime?

Parental Alienation: What Therapists Need to Know No independent professional found him to be abusive or psychologically impaired. But the damage had been done. “Parental alienation” is a “crime.” However, it is a matter dealt with not in a criminal court but in lengthy civil proceedings.

Is parental alienation considered abuse?

While these professionals are historically skilled at identifying physical child abuse, they are beginning to identify a more insidious form of emotional child abuse called parental alienation. When this form of abuse is correctly and timely identified, custody evaluators can recommend specific strategies for success.

How do you prove a parent is manipulating a child?

What are the Signs of a Manipulative Parent?Bad-mouthing the other parent in front of the kids.Enlisting the children to send messages or requests to the other parent.Lying to the kids to make the other parent look bad.Allowing family members and friends to trash talk the other parent in front of the kids.More items...•

Can you sue your ex for parental alienation?

How to Sue for Parental Alienation? If the alienation continues, the best recourse is the immediate filing of complaints that bring the issue to the court's attention. You may request court orders that can range from reunification therapy to sole custody.

What is narcissistic parental alienation?

Narcissistic Parental Alienation syndrome refers to the process of psychological manipulation of a child by a parent to show fear, disrespect, or hostility towards the other parent. Very often, the child can't provide logical reasoning for the difference in their behaviour towards both parents.

What happens if parental alienation is proven?

Parental alienation often involves feeding the children lies about the other parent. If these allegations are brought up in court or confirmed by the influenced children, it could prove detrimental to the alienated parent's character and influence their chances of getting custody.

What are the 17 signs of parental alienation?

17 Signs of Parental AlienationBadmouthing the other parent.Limiting contact with the other parent.Interfering with communications, i.e. letters, phone calls, emails.Interfering with symbolic communication, i.e. photos of targeted parent in child's home.Withdrawal of love towards the child.More items...

What are examples of parental alienation?

Examples of Parental AlienationTelling the child that the other parent is responsible for the divorce.Telling the child unnecessary information about the reasons for the divorce.Telling the child blatant lies to damage the other parent's reputation.Persuading the child to refuse visitation.More items...•

What Is Parental Alienation Syndrome?

The American Psychiatric Association doesn’t recognize parental alienation syndrome as a mental disorder. According to Dr. Darrel Reiger, vice chai...

Signs of Parental Alienation

If parental alienation is indeed occurring, there are some warning symptoms described by Dr. Douglas Darnall, Ph.D, including the following: 1. Tel...

What Causes Parental Alienation?

Why would a parent want to damage the child's relationship with the other parent? Intentions differ from one parent to the next, but psychologists...

How Does Alienation occur?

The alienating parent may use a number of techniques. These may include: 1. Encouraging the child to pretend the other parent doesn't exist. Not al...

What Does An Alienated Child Look like?

A child who's been successfully alienated: 1. Will bad-mouth the other parent with foul language and inaccurate descriptions of the other parent 2....

How to Deal With Alienation

Experts on alienation suggest the following ways to cope with the problem: 1. Try to control your anger; Stay calm and in control of your own behav...

Questions For Your Attorney

1. Is it okay to say negative comments about the other parent in front of my children? 2. What if my children say negative comments about the other...