Parental Alienation Issues
What Is Parental Alienation Syndrome?
How Does It Affect Child Custody in California?
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Parental alienation syndrome is recognized by mental health professionals as a syndrome that can occur when the custodial parent takes active steps to prevent the child from spending time with the noncustodial parent. For the syndrome to be recognized, the alienation must be extreme, sometimes to the extent that the child expresses a desire to no longer spend time with the noncustodial parent.
Actions by the custodial parent that could lead to parental alienation syndrome if not stopped include:
- Frequently insulting the noncustodial parent and describing or exaggerating the parent's faults to the child
- Instilling groundless fear in the child that the noncustodial parent will do harm
- A pattern of scheduling other events during times the noncustodial parent would usually exercise visitation rights or parenting time
Many other actions can contribute to parental alienation syndrome. The important thing to understand is that - although parental alienation syndrome is a recognized problem - California family court judges review claims of parental alienation with a very carefully. In proven cases, the custodial parent be ordered to change his or her behavior, and perhaps the noncustodial parent will receive additional visitation rights. Both fathers and mothers may be guilty of conduct that leads to parental alienation syndrome, and in serious cases, individual or family counseling may be called for.
At the Santa Clara family law office of Thomas E. Bouman, Attorney at Law, we have extensive experience with all types of child custody and visitation disputes — including allegations of parental alienation.
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If you have questions about your rights as a custodial or noncustodial parent, contact us to schedule a consultation with Santa Clara divorce lawyer Thomas E. Bouman. Mr. Bouman has more than 25 years' family law experience and works directly with each client of our office.
