Signs of Parental Alienation
Posted on September 13, 2017 in Family Law
Parental alienation is a term used to describe intense hatred of one parent by a child that is caused by behavior by the other parent. Parental alienation can be incredibly effective over time, and if you suspect such behavior is taking place you should seek legal counsel and redress in family law court. If this type of behavior is not stopped, your relationship with your child or children may suffer irreparable harm. Be on the lookout for children who are angry at one parent, but who have no reason grounded in fact for their thoughts and feelings.
Examples of Parental Alienation
The following types of behaviors can lead to parental alienation:
- Allowing the child to choose if they want to follow a court-ordered parenting plan. Parenting plans that establish parenting time must be followed. However, some parents give the child options in this area in the hopes that the child will choose not to spend time with the other parent.
- Giving too much detail about the divorce. A child should not be privy to issues surrounding the divorce, including alimony, property division or child custody. While every family is different, most children should not be involved in these adult discussions.
- Placing blame on the other parent. Some parents will try to pin all troubles -- financial, logistical, legal -- on the other parent.
- Refusing to allow the other parent to view academic and medical records.
- Being rigid about visitation schedules. It is important for both parents to be flexible with visitation, especially when the child’s schedule dictates that a change will be necessary. On the other hand, a parent seeking to alienate a child may schedule activities during the other parent’s time to keep the parent and child apart. Then, when the targeted parent objects, he or she will be accused of keeping the child from experiences.
- Having secret signs or code words. These could be utilized when the alienating parent and child are communicating during the other parent’s visitation time.
Contact a Hinsdale, IL Parental Alienation Lawyer
If you feel your child is a victim of parental alienation, you do not have to sit idle and hope the alienating party will stop this behavior. Courts do not tolerate this manipulative behavior. The law may be on your side, and a family law court could help you have a better relationship with your child. Call a skilled DuPage County, IL child custody attorneys at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio at 630-920-8855 today to get a consultation on your case.
Source:
https://www.parentalalienation.com/articles/symptoms-parental-alienation.html
http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/opinions/appellatecourt/1999/2nddistrict/october/html/2980999.htm