What is Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation is a serious problem that impacts families throughout Arizona and across the country. Our Scottsdale family law attorney represents families dealing with parental alienation so that their child is protected. At the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau, you will be treated with compassion and respect by our child custody attorney as we build a case to protect you and your child from their other parent in such a difficult situation.

Defining Parental Alienation

Alienation is the act of separating one thing from something else. So, parental alienation is the act of separating a child from their parent using deliberate and planned actions. The parent conducting the alienation uses actions, words, and lies to alienate the child from the other parent in the hopes that they no longer wish to speak to or interact with them.

Signs of Parental Alienation

The most common signs of parental alienation include the following:

• Disparaging remarks in front of your child about you by the other parent, siblings, grandparents, and others in your child’s life
• Your time with the child is limited by the alienating parent
• Communication with the child is cut off when they are with the parent conducting the alienation
• Telling your child that you are dangerous and should not be around you
• Telling your child that you do not love them anymore
• Forcing your child to choose one parent over the other
• Confiding in your child about legal issues related to your relationship with the other parent
• Having the child spy on you and report back to the parent doing the alienating behaviors
• Telling the child to keep secrets from you
• Calling you only by your first name and not mom or dad
• Telling the child to refer to a stepparent as mom or dad
• Keeping your name off of medical and other legal documents involving the child
• Keeping you out of medical and legal decisions related to the child

In some instances, the alienating parent will even go as far as changing the child’s name so they no longer have any legal association with the victimized parent.

How to Protect Yourself When Parental Alienation is Present

If you believe you are the victim of parental alienation, you should speak to a Scottsdale child custody attorney immediately. Do not take matters into your own hands and only follow the tips provided by your attorney. Be sure not to make false statements about the alienating parent, such as accusing them of domestic violence, as this can backfire on you immensely.

Making a false allegation is often done to increase visitation time with your child while the other parent goes through legal proceedings. You will fight parental alienation with the help of your child custody attorney and the plan they create based on your unique situation.

Call a Scottsdale Family Law Attorney Today

Do you believe the other parent of your child has been trying to alienate them from you? If so, you need to speak with an experienced Scottsdale family law attorney from the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau. Call the office, or complete the contact form to schedule a consultation today.