What to Do If Your Ex Is Using Your Child Against You

In high-conflict child custody cases, some spouses may turn to malicious practices to achieve selfish goals. This may include an ex-spouse’s attempts to create a negative perception of the other parent in the child’s mind. This practice, often referred to as parental alienation, could have negative effects on your custody case and future relationship with your child. Because of this, being aware of common signs of parental alienation could help many individuals proactively maintain or repair the relationship between the parent and child.

Signs of Parental Alienation

Parental alienation may occur whenever a parent attempts to convince their child that the other parent does not love them, care about them, or is creating an unsafe or uncomfortable environment for them. This could occur whenever a parent tells a child that the other parent is overly restrictive, dismissive, or neglectful. Signs of parental alienation in children include a sudden change in behavior or willingness to spend time or cooperate with the targeted parent. Additionally, a child affected by parental alienation may deny previous positive memories or interactions with the targeted parent.

Managing and Responding to Parental Alienation

Navigating parental alienation may be a complicated and lengthy process. In some cases, it may be beneficial for a child impacted by parental alienation to consult a therapist or psychiatrist. Parental alienation may also result in legal consequences when establishing a child custody agreement. Family law courts in New Jersey hold the best interest of the child as the highest priority in a custody dispute. Because of this, demonstrating that an ex-spouse attempted to manipulate their child against the other parent could affect how custody is determined. Attempts at alienation could be established through witness testimony, expert opinions, and other evidence.

How an Experienced Family Lawyer Could Help

Navigating the child custody process in high-conflict cases could be difficult and may have long-term consequences. A compassionate family law attorney from the Moskowitz Law Group, LLC could guide you through your case with you and your child’s best interests in mind. To speak to an experienced child custody attorney, contact our team today.