Divorce involving children is stressful and can lead otherwise reasonable people to engage in extremely unreasonable behavior. When this behavior, however, extends to the children and their relationship with their other parent, such behavior is unacceptable. Parental alienation refers to one parent’s psychological manipulation of the children in an effort to generate ill will toward the other parent and to diminish the bond between that parent and the children. The results are often devastating for both the alienated parent and the children. If your divorcing spouse is using parental alienation in an attempt to affect your child custody arrangements, you need the professional legal counsel of a knowledgeable Joliet family law attorney.Â
Parents who are divorcing – or are divorced– often have animosity toward one another, but when a parent allows that animosity to spill over into the children’s lives, it can be extremely damaging. Sometimes, a parent is so hurt that he or she simply doesn’t recognize that the children are internalizing his or her pain. Other times, however, a parent will purposely encourage the children to pick a side.Â
A parent can attempt to bring about parental alienation in any number of ways, but common strategies include:
Children are too young and too emotionally immature to understand complex adult themes, and it is highly inappropriate to involve them in such matters.Â
The cycle of parental alienation is often self-perpetuating. As the alienating parent continues to work on the children, the children become more wary of both the situation and of their other parent. As your children begin to pull away, your natural inclination may be to give them the space they need to heal. This increased distance, however, can reinforce the original alienation and make the situation that much more complicated and painful for you and your children.Â
If your children’s other parent is actively engaging in parental alienation, it can irrevocably damage your relationship with your kids and can be emotionally damaging to your children. While proving parental alienation can be difficult, the courts do not take kindly to this kind of manipulation, and they can alter custody arrangements as a remedy. Further, a judge can find the offending parent in contempt of court and mandate sanctions against him or her and/or can mandate counseling to help the family heal. Â
If you believe that your ex-spouse (or divorcing) spouse is engaging in parental alienation, the dedicated legal team at Sabuco Beck, P.C. in Joliet is committed to advocating for your parental rights. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information today.Â
See the difference family makes at Sabuco Beck, P.C.
Alex and Donna and all of his staff went above and beyond to answer our questions and help us during a very stressful time.
I would recommend Roy to anyone. I had a very difficult ex and he was very calm and made sure the whole process went the way it should have. His assistant Sandy is AMAZING! I had a lot of issues, and she would respond and take care of everything promptly. I appreciate all the hard work that was done.
Mr. Beck helped win my case. The case was complicated from the beginning and he helped me manage the court system and his secretary Donna always helpful and courteous.
Guiding You Towards A Brighter Future. Learn More About Our Attorneys Below
950 Essington Road Suite B
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone : (815) 730-8860
Fax : (815) 730-8865