Divorce, separation, and custody disputes are disruptive and cause instability for all involved, no matter how cordial the parents may be during the process. Although most parents can come through the process understanding the fundamental harm that can come from intentionally attempting to poison your child against the other parent, this is unfortunately not always the case. In some cases, one parent may attempt to alienate the child against the other, which is not only detrimental to the child’s well-being but is taken extremely seriously by the court and can mean the offending parent will experience extreme repercussions in a custody order. Parental alienation may be difficult to prove, however, so if you believe the other parent may be taking these sorts of measures, you should be cognizant of what type of evidence you should be gathering.
One of the most helpful types of evidence to prove parental alienation can be to provide testimony from a mental health professional. A counselor, therapist, psychologist, or other mental health care provider who has provided therapeutic services to the child may be able to provide testimony and evidence about the efforts made at alienation and the adverse effects suffered by the child. A health care professional is uniquely positioned to give reliable evidence because he or she is much more neutral than the parties or other family members.
Another source of evidence is your communication with the other parent. Although some parents take steps to cover up their wrongdoing, not all are so cautious. Some angry parents may text actual evidence of their bad acts, including admissions about what he or she has been saying to the child. Social media can also be an important source for this type of evidence, especially where the other spouse uses these outlets to vent.
Finally, first-hand witnesses are often an excellent source of evidence. Bringing a witness, such as a friend or family member, to be present during interactions with the other parent can mean that you have another individual to report to the court the efforts at parental alienation. The types of behavior seen by these witnesses often include comments made by the alienating parent designed to encourage the child to be upset about or even afraid of spending time with the other parent.
If you have questions about child custody and how a court is likely to rule, contact us today. We have extensive experience with all types of custody issues.
Are you interested in seeking an annulment? If so, contact Williams Law Group, LLC right away. Our family law attorneys will review your case to determine if an annulment is an option. If it is, we will guide you through the process and ensure you make the best decisions for your future. Call our office at (908) 738-8512, email us atinfo@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation
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