Fort Lee Child Alienation Lawyer
In most cases, New Jersey state law and courts assume that substantial, and in many instances, equal time with both parents best serves the interests of a child whose parents have divorced. Unfortunately, not every parent complies with such orders in good faith, and sometimes parents intentionally and unfairly try to turn their children against their other parent to achieve primary or sole custody.
Effectively dealing with this kind of behavior can be legally and emotionally complex, as any experienced child custody attorney knows well. If the other parent is intentionally damaging your child’s relationship with you, a Fort Lee child alienation lawyer can help you take appropriate legal action to ensure this bad-faith behavior does not continue.
What Constitutes Legally Actionable Child Alienation?
In many cases, a parent tries to impose their feelings about the other parent onto that child solely for the purpose of changing the child’s opinion of that parent. This often happens through derision, excessive criticism, unwarranted disparagement, and speaking negatively of them in the child’s presence.
Other examples of child alienation of a child can include:
- One parent questioning the other’s authority to discipline the child
- Intentionally ignoring instructions from the other parent given to the child
- Denying the other parent visitation time
- Allowing a child to skip visitation time
These are but a few actions that could alienate a child from their parent, and since every family is unique, it is by no means an exhaustive list. A Fort Lee child alienation attorney can review the details of a specific case and provide more guidance during a free initial consultation.
Addressing Alienating Behavior by a Co-Parent in Fort Lee
Child alienation is not always intentional. For instance, a parent may understand in principle that their child would benefit from a healthy relationship with both parents and still react poorly at times in their presence. In this sort of situation, it may be possible to resolve the underlying issue through good-faith mediation facilitated by a parenting coordinator.
In more severe situations, the best option may be a court-ordered remedy. This could mean requesting compensatory parenting time, changing when and where custody trades happen, or even switching primary custody rights from one parent to the other. A child alienation lawyer in Fort Lee can also help a parent impacted by this kind of behavior seek additional penalties, such as reimbursement for legal fees, mandatory counseling or community service, and reimbursement for a child’s subsequent counseling expenses.
Speak with an Experienced Fort Lee Child Alienation Attorney About Legal Options
Even if parents no longer have an amicable relationship following a divorce or separation, they should both wish to provide the best possible life for their children. If your co-parent is instead disparaging you in front of your child, you should be aware of and know how to enforce your right to fair treatment.
A Fort Lee child alienation lawyer at Moskowitz Law Group can provide irreplaceable guidance and support throughout this sensitive and stressful type of scenario. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.
