People from Jupiter to Wellington know that highly contested divorces can be brutal. However, timesharing/custody fights can be particularly devastating. In such highly acrimonious environments, parental alienation can occur. Alienation, by definition, means to isolate one thing from another.
In the case of Florida parental alienation, it means consistent steps (sometimes planned or inadvertent) which one parent takes to isolate the child or children from the other parent through words and conduct. The purpose of alienation is to gain majority timesharing/custody of the child and to exclude the involvement by the target parent. In other cases, the alienator wants the target parent out of the way to start a new life. However, parental alienation is not always immediately apparent. It is not clearly visible like a physical wound or scar.
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Recognizing the alienation before it takes complete control over a child may be the single most important factor in stopping it. The following are a partial list of early signs of parental alienation. They include:
- Children perceive one parent is causing the financial problems of the other parent.
- Children appear to have knowledge of the details relating to the legal aspects of the divorce or separation.
- Children show a sudden negative change in their attitude towards a parent and guardian where they previously had a positive attitude.
- A parent is allowing a child or children to choose whether or not to visit the other parent, even though the court has not empowered the parents or the child to make that choice.
- One parent telling the children about why the marriage failed or giving them the details about the divorce or separation settlement.
- Criticizing the other parent for not having enough money, changes in lifestyle, or other problems in the children’s presence.
- Setting up activities and temptations that interfere with visitation.
- Rescuing the children from the other parent where there is no danger.
If you see one or more of the above behaviors, then you should be concerned that parental alienation may be occurring in your case. You should then immediately seek out the services of a law firm which is experienced in dealing with parental alienation.
At the Law Firm of Charles D. Jamieson P.A. we’ve been representing parents in parental alienation cases for many years. We are familiar with the local, regional and national experts in the area of parental alienation. If you wish to discuss your concerns about parental alienation in your case, then please contact our office. Our staff will be happy to arrange a consultation by phone or in person.
