A divorce can be messy and contentious, with arguments and miscommunications between both spouses. If your ex-spouse goes so far as to intentionally try to harm the relationship between you and your child, however, or alienate you as a parent, you may have legal options. Discuss a parental alienation case in detail with a child custody lawyer in San Diego for more information.
What Is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation in a California child custody case refers to one parent manipulating, controlling or influencing a child to harbor negative thoughts about or behaviors toward the other parent. It is a means of trying to use a child to hurt an ex-spouse. Parental alienation can have a significant emotional effect on the child and create lasting damage to the parent-child relationship.
Gathering Evidence of Parental Alienation
If you believe your ex-spouse is taking steps to poison your child against you in the aftermath of a divorce, start taking steps to document the issue. Learn what the signs of parental alienation look like and how to document the tactics your ex is using to manipulate your child.
The following evidence can help prove a parental alienation case in California:
- Communications. Collect copies of any emails, text messages or social media posts that showcase your ex-spouse’s negative behaviors or words toward you.
- Medical records. Take your child to a therapist or child psychiatrist for professional testimony from a mental health provider to discuss your child’s emotional state or behavioral changes.
- Witnesses. Collect written statements from friends, family members and teachers who have seen alienating behaviors by the other parent or noted changes in the child’s behavior.
Collecting solid proof of parental alienation and its effects on your relationship with your child can build a much stronger case in the custody courts than a “he-said/she-said” argument. Start recording anything relevant to your parental alienation case early on.
What to Do if You Are Experiencing Parental Alienation
If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, take legal action with help from a divorce attorney. Your relationship with your child could be permanently harmed by your co-parent’s alienation attempts. In addition, parental alienation methods can inflict mental and emotional stress on your child.
Once you have collected evidence of parental alienation, take your records and documents to a San Diego child custody lawyer for review. A lawyer can help you file a claim with the family courts if the situation is severe, such as a request for child custody modification or a court-ordered psychological evaluation of your ex-spouse.
If parental alienation has led to a violation of a custody order, a lawyer can help you get your ex-spouse held in contempt of court. Your child’s best interests will be at the forefront of your attorney’s thoughts and strategies. You can count on your lawyer to protect your relationship with your child through all legal means available.
If you believe you are facing attempts at parental alienation in San Diego, contact the attorneys at Boyd Law right away for a free case evaluation. We can help you prove parental alienation and give you the emotional and legal support you need during this challenging time.
