Skilled Attorney For Parental Alienation And Child Custody In San Jose
Parental alienation occurs when one parent deliberately undermines the child’s relationship with the other parent through manipulation, false accusations or psychological tactics designed to turn the child against the targeted parent. This damaging behavior harms children emotionally and violates the alienated parent’s custody and visitation rights.
At Erickson Family Law LLP, our family law attorney team has nearly 60 years of combined experience helping parents throughout San Jose and Santa Clara County address parental alienation in custody disputes. We understand how devastating these situations become and work diligently to protect your parental rights while prioritizing your children’s best interests.
What Is Parental Alienation And How Does It Manifest?
Parental alienation encompasses various manipulative behaviors one parent uses to damage the child’s bond with the other parent. Common tactics include making disparaging remarks about the targeted parent in the child’s presence, interfering with scheduled visitation, falsely suggesting the other parent is dangerous or does not love the child, limiting communication between the child and targeted parent, and encouraging the child to reject or fear the other parent without legitimate justification.
These behaviors create psychological harm to children, who may experience confusion, loyalty conflicts, anxiety and damaged relationships with both parents long-term. California family court takes parental alienation seriously when determining custody arrangements, as it directly contradicts the state’s policy.
What Can You Do If The Other Parent Is Alienating Your Children?
Document every instance of alienating behavior through detailed records of missed visitations, inappropriate communications, witness statements, and changes in your child’s attitude or behavior following time with the alienating parent. Maintain consistent, positive interactions with your children despite the challenges and avoid retaliating with similar tactics, which courts view unfavorably.
Child custody attorneys can help you file motions addressing parental alienation through modification requests seeking revised custody and visitation orders.
How Do Courts Address Parental Alienation In Custody Cases?
California courts, determining child custody, must consider each parent’s ability to foster positive relationships between the child and the other parent. Evidence of parental alienation significantly impacts custody determinations, potentially resulting in reduced custody time for the alienating parent, modified visitation arrangements requiring supervision, or, in extreme cases, transferring primary custody to the targeted parent.
Contact Our San Jose Child Custody Lawyers
If you are experiencing parental alienation, contact us by calling 408-840-2393 or filling out our online contact form for help with child custody issues.