WHAT IS PARENTAL ALIENATION?
Parental alienation in Florida can play a significant role in custody disputes. Parental alienation occurs when one parent takes affirmative action to influence a child and turn that child against the other parent. The purpose is to damage the parent-child relationship. This can be in the form of making degrading and disparaging statements about the other parent to the child, consistently failing to comply with visitation orders, encouraging the child to treat you with disrespect, and making false allegations about you to the child. This type of behavior can result in the emotional abuse of the child.
CAN PARENTAL ALIENATION HELP MY CASE?
Yes. If you establish the other parent is engaging in behavior to alienate you from your child, the court will consider these actions when deciding a custody dispute. The court regularly views the nonoffending parent more favorably because every decision the court makes regarding custody must be in the child’s best interests. In most cases, encouraging a positive relationship between parent and child will be in the child’s best interests. Actions to alienate a child from a parent are not in the child’s best interests.
HOW CAN I PROVE IT?
Parental alienation in Florida can be difficult to prove. Keep a written record of all activity, including:
1. Any information your child volunteers regarding what the other parent is doing or saying (don’t aggressively question the child).
2. Any consistent failure to comply with a visitation order with the intent to prevent contact, or regular requests to alter the visitation schedule.
3. Any behavioral changes in your child.
4. Any text messages, e-mails, and voicemails from the other parent or child.
5. Speak with relatives, friends, neighbors, or other adults who spend time with the child and who may have witnessed inappropriate behavior or been made aware of it.
6. Consider seeking help from a child therapist or asking the court to appoint a guardian ad litem.
7. Always correct inappropriate behavior, incorrect statements, and disparaging remarks made by the other parent. The corrections should be made in writing (text messages or e-mails) to have a record.
8. Your child’s testimony. The court must approve your child’s testimony.
Your records must be detailed and include dates and times.
If you want strong, experienced counsel to represent your interests, please feel free to call or e-mail The Fuller Firm, LLC. Kevin A. Fuller will schedule a free phone or videoconference consultation. After a thorough case analysis, I will answer your questions and advise you regarding the best way to proceed.