A divorce is one of the most stressful life-changes a person can make. Often, divorce impacts a whole family. This makes things especially difficult for couples who have children. In some cases, parents are able to put their differences aside in order to do what is best for their children. But, in other cases, tensions run high and parents struggle to co-parent after a divorce. These struggles can lead to parental alienation. Parental alienation can lead to a number of issues for both you and your child. Read on to learn more about parental alienation in New York.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is a tactic used to turn a child against their parent. Sometimes you may not even be aware that this is occurring, but it can seriously impact your relationship with your child. Parental alienation may take the form of:
- Passive verbal jabs about the other parent
- Outright badmouthing the other parent
- Pretending to “save” the child from certain situations that the child simply does not need saving from
Children are vulnerable and they may be deeply affected by these behaviors. If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, it is important to take action as soon as possible.
How Can I Prove Parental Alienation?
If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, there are a few steps you should take.
- Document disparaging remarks: For example, if your ex-spouse sends a bitter text or leaves you an angry voicemail, you should document these incidents.
- Record incidents: If your child quotes something their other parent has said, you may want to keep a record of this quote in a journal.
- Preserve social media evidence: Unfortunately, many people post every detail of their lives on social media, meaning your ex may be speaking ill of you on these public platforms. If this occurs, be sure to take screenshots.
What Can I Do About it?
It can be difficult to prove parental alienation, but you should not ignore it. Disparaging remarks can severely impact your and your child’s relationship. New York courts recognize the harm parental alienation can do. As a result, you may have legal options. For example, parental alienation may lead to a change in your custody agreement. This may occur if the other parent refuses to co-parent or is not looking out for their child’s best interests.
If you believe you and your child are victims of parental alienation, contact our firm today.
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