Parental alienation is a hard and painful problem that can happen during or after a divorce or custody battle. When one parent tricks a child into not liking the other parent, it hurts the relationship between the parent and child. If you’re going through this, you should know that you have options.
Missouri considers parental alienation as a form of abuse on children. The courts do take behaviors that are related to it into account when deciding who gets custody. According to Legalclarity.com, Missouri Revised Statutes Section 452.375 says that courts look at things like how willing each parent is to help the child have a relationship with the other parent.
Under Missouri parental alienation law, this harmful behavior can impact both the children and the parent who is being alienated. That’s why when deciding who will have custody, the courts in the state put the child’s best interests first.
If one parent tries to hurt the other parent’s relationship with the child, that can affect the decision on who gets custody. Let’s look at the effects of parental alienation:
Understanding Parental Alienation and Its Impact
Parental alienation could result in a few behavioral changes in the child, from withdrawal to outright hostility toward his father or mother. Emotional manipulation from a parent leads to behaviors that distress the child. These signs should be detected at an early stage so that the matter may be dealt with.
According to family law firm https://www.orangecountyfamilylaw.com/, some divorces are very contentious, which might cause major disagreements on what type of parenting philosophy is right to raise their children.
If you are the parent who’s being alienated, open the ground for talks and encourage your child to let out his feelings about your current situation. Reinforcing the child’s environment will help to counter alienation and will help you fight for your relationship with your child.
Legal Grounds for Modifying Custody Arrangements
In Missouri, an order may be modified upon a showing of a “significant” change in circumstances. Such modification requests may contain evidence of alienation affecting the child’s welfare.
Usually, the courts want you to demonstrate and sustain credible proof to attest to the fact that currently the provisions of the order work against the best interests of the child. You may be called upon to provide evidence of the child’s behavioral changes or evidence as to his/her emotional condition.
Remember that courts want to ensure children’s stability, so you should show how your proposed change will benefit them long-term.
Documenting Evidence of Alienation
To deal with parental alienation, clear and compelling evidence must be procured of its incidence. Maintain a positive attitude when meeting your child and the other parent. Examples of alienating behavior would be your child vocalizing negative feelings toward you or refusing to engage with you.
Gather alienating text messages or emails and social media posts. If family or friends see the alienation, ask them for a written account.
If you can, record the conversations in which the other parent disparages your relationship with the child. Using this evidence for your case will allow you to explain how alienation affects your relationship.
Seeking Court Intervention and Remedies
When coming across parental alienation, court action is an important step to working towards a reconciliation with that child. You could put in a motion for either the enforcement of custody or the modification of the parenting plan. The court could appoint either a custody evaluator or a guardian ad litem to further explore the matter.
Your case would be made far stronger if you could produce incontrovertible proof of alienation. Again, if necessary, you can ask to have therapy ordered to help you start the healing.
Consult an experienced family attorney who can guide you through the process and act as your advocate.
Building a Support System for Your Child
Building support systems for your child is essential during the particularly difficult times of parental alienation. The child needs to spend time with those who genuinely care for him or her and understand the situation: relatives, friends, and teachers.
Your child should be able to speak freely about his or her feelings and concerns. A therapist or counselor with specialization in child psychology can help understand, guide, and develop coping mechanisms after a divorce or major family conflict.
Good relations between the child and both parents should, in the best case, be fostered. Check in with the child often to see how they’re feeling and remind them they’re not alone. As a parent, you need to put your child’s well-being first. While you may have resentment for the other parent for alienating your child, do your best to reconnect with the child and maintain a loving relationship with him or her.
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