Hudson County Child Alienation Lawyer
When parents separate, children may be caught in the middle or maliciously used as a tool for one parent to hurt the other. If your former spouse or partner is stopping you from having a meaningful relationship with your child, a Hudson County child alienation lawyer may be able to help.
Parents should always place the needs of their children first which often includes a child’s need to have a relationship with both their parents. If you believe your child’s other parent is alienating you from your child, a seasoned child custody attorney could fight to protect your parental rights and the relationship you share with your children.
What is Child Alienation?
Child alienation usually occurs when one parent unfairly interferes with their child’s ability to have a relationship with their other parent. Child alienation can include circumstances where a parent:
- Refuses to allow a child to see the other parent without a valid reason
- Ignores a court-ordered visitation schedule
- Tells a child things to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent
- Plans to move with the child for purposes of limiting the other parent’s ability to visit
- Enrolls the child in activities to exclude or alienate the other parent
Child alienation claims can be difficult to prove, especially if the opposing parent claims that their actions were justified. An alienating parent might claim they denied visitation due to abuse, or that a planned move is due to work opportunities, but these reasons do not diminish a parent’s right to spend time with their child. A parental alienation lawyer in Hudson County could help a parent develop a strategy to protect their relationship with their child in spite of an ex-spouse.
Rights to a Relationship with a Child
According to New Jersey Revised Statutes §9:2-4, children should have ongoing frequent contact with both their parents. Those parents should also share the rights and responsibilities of child-rearing in a fair manner.
When determining custody of a child, the court must make the best interests of the child a primary consideration according to N.J.R.S. §9:2-4a. Some factors commonly considered in child alienation cases include:
- Parents ability to agree, communicate, and cooperate for their child
- History of illegitimate refusal of parenting time
- Fitness of each parent to be a caretaker
A parent who isolates a child or lies about the other parent often is not acting in their child’s best interests, and potentially harming them. An experienced Hudson County parental sabotage lawyer could fight to prevent further harm to children due to lies and isolation from their parent.
Presenting an Alienation Case to the Court
If no prior custody case is filed, or if the alienation is taking place during an ongoing case or divorce, a parent may need to ask a judge to confront the problem.
If custody orders are already determined, a parent may wish to petition for a modification of custody or pursue contempt of court charges. An attorney with experience in cases of parental alienation could act as a strong advocate for a parent’s rights.
A Hudson County Child Alienation Attorney Could Protect Families
Child alienation may negatively impact your relationship with your children as well as your children’s wellbeing. If an ex-spouse or former partner is sabotaging your relationship with your child, let a Hudson County child alienation lawyer fight for your family.
It may be difficult to convince a court that action is necessary and the case may be contentious. Get the experienced legal advice you need by contacting an attorney today.
