Certain areas of family law, such as child custody and divorce, are some of the most challenging that a person can encounter. One of the most difficult areas of custody law concerns cases of parental alienation syndrome, which is also sometimes referred to as malicious parent syndrome. It might be surprising to learn that parental alienation occurs in a large number of cases and can have a substantial impact in how child custody cases are resolved. The following are some signs that parental alienation syndrome is affecting your family.
What is Parental Alienation?
Some mental health professionals do not view parental alienation as a syndrome. Instead, the term is used to describe a condition in which one parent intentionally and continuously expresses anger against the other parent while the children are around. Most often, this type of activity occurs when an upset parent feels the urge to lash out and punish the other parent by alienating the child from that parent. Parents often behave in this way because they expect that if they make these types of allegations, the parent will be granted custody. Parents who use these patterns refuse to acknowledge the effect that the pattern has on a young child’s mind. Frequently, this type of behavior is detrimental enough to a child’s health to cause alienation, degradation, exploitation, mood disorders, and self-loathing.
The Symptoms of Parental Alienation
The state of Georgia does not have any specific laws regarding when a person is able to file a parental alienation action. Instead, evidence of one parent’s conduct can be used by the other to support a claim for custody, parenting time, or supervised visits. Some of the most common signs and symptoms that are known to suggest parental alienation include the following:
- Actively reducing or in any way controlling the interaction that the child has with the other parent
- Convincing the child that the other parent is attempting to hurt the parent, which can cause the child to react and protect the parent that is being harmed
- Forcing the child to say negative things about the other parent
- Informing the child that the other parent left the family because he or she no longer cares for the child
- Speaking ill of the other parent while the child is present
- Telling the child that they must pick one parent
Speak with an Experienced Family Law Attorney
If you are a parent who is navigating a family law issue, it is important to try to lessen then mental strife associated with parental alienation. Contact Vayman & Teitelbaum P.C. today to speak with an experienced attorney. We understand the complex issues involved with these cases and remain committed to fighting for the best possible results that families deserve.
