Divorce is difficult and things can be especially complicated when there are children involved. A common issue that occurs after a divorce is parental alienation. When it comes to parental alienation (PA), it is important to be educated so that you can notice the signs and act quickly if you believe you and your child are victims of PA. Read on to learn more about parental alienation in New Jersey.
Terms to Know
Parental alienation: The act of a parent manipulating their child in an attempt to turn the child against the other parent
Alienator: This refers to the parent who is performing the manipulation
Alienated: This refers to the parent who is the subject of criticism/hateful allegations or claims
What Does Parental Alienation Entail?
Parental alienation can be subtle and difficult to spot. It may be something as small as a parent taking passive jabs at the other parent, or as big as pretending to “save” the child from situations involving the other parent. PA can seriously impact a child’s mental health. Additionally, it can affect the child’s relationship with both parents in extremely negative ways.
How Can I Prove Parental Alienation?
If you believe parental alienation is taking place, you should attempt to obtain proof. In order to do this, you should:
- Document disparaging remarks: If your ex-spouse sends an angry text, be sure to screenshot it.
- Keep a journal: If your child quotes something their other parent has said, you may want to keep a record of this quote in a journal. You may also want to note changes in your child’s behavior. For example, your child may
- Preserve social media evidence: If your ex is making disparaging remarks about you on social media, you should not engage and be sure to take screenshots.
What will a New Jersey Court do About Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation can be extremely difficult to prove. But, if you and your attorney can provide evidence to a New Jersey court, a judge may alter your custody arrangement. For the most part, New Jersey courts believe that a child benefits from having a relationship with both parents and will attempt to make this happen. But, parental alienation violates the core of your custody agreement, which is to do what is in your child’s best interest.
If you believe you and your child are victims of parental alienation, reach out to our experienced firm as soon as possible.
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If you need an experienced legal team to guide you through your divorce, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark L.L.C today.
