Parental alienation
Published on August 27, 2025 · 2 min read
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation refers to a situation in which one parent deliberately tries to damage or interfere with a child’s relationship with the other parent, often during or after a divorce or custody dispute. It can involve manipulation, false accusations, or subtle actions that cause the child to fear, reject, or avoid the targeted parent without valid reason. While not always legally defined, courts may take parental alienation seriously when it affects the child’s well-being or co-parenting dynamics.
Key elements of parental alienation
Undermining behavior: The alienating parent may speak negatively about the other parent, limit communication, or exaggerate past conflicts to turn the child against them.
- Impact on the child: Children may show unjustified fear, hostility, or rejection toward the targeted parent, even if they previously had a close relationship.
- Not the same as estrangement: Parental alienation involves manipulation; estrangement happens when a child distances from a parent due to actual abuse, neglect, or harmful behavior.
- Common tactics: These may include blocking visitation, interrupting phone calls, questioning the parent’s love, or falsely accusing them of misconduct.
- Legal implications: Some courts view parental alienation as emotional abuse or a violation of custody orders, and it can affect custody decisions or lead to court-ordered reunification therapy.
- Hard to prove: Allegations of alienation must usually be supported with documentation, expert testimony, or evaluations from therapists or custody professionals.
How to respond to parental alienation
If you suspect parental alienation is occurring, early legal intervention can be critical. Courts prioritize the child’s emotional health and will act to prevent long-term harm to the parent-child relationship when appropriate evidence is presented.
Possible remedies may include counseling, parenting plans with stricter boundaries, or changes to custody arrangements. Working with a family law attorney can help you build a strong case and explore solutions that focus on restoring a healthy relationship with your child.
