Just about everyone has some idea of the impact that divorce or breakup has on the children.  Some people elect to stay in less than perfect relationships to avoid being away from their children or to avoid issues they know will exist given an end to the relationship. That said, parental alienation and malicious parents represents one of the most harmful aspects of any divorce or breakup.

Parental alienation and malicious parents come as a result of parents who just don’t like one another and an excessive amount of resentment. In many cases, alienating parents or malicious parents ask the children to take sides either overtly or in actions and words.

Experienced family law attorneys advise their clients against speaking poorly about their child’s other parent, especially in the presence of the children. Meanwhile, some mothers or fathers threaten to cut financial benefits, discontinue cell phone service and/or take away access to other personal items if the children do not side with them and agree with their opinions.  Some mothers or fathers place the child in fear of abandonment or fear that basic needs will not be met. Worse, alienating mothers and fathers can behave in ways to sabotage their child’s other parent.

The Impact of Parental Alienation

Children are a part of both parents. When a mother or father bad mouths the other, the suggestion is that part of the children is also unworthy. The negative view can cause damage to the children’s self-esteem.

It’s a typical story in a divorce case where an aggrieved spouse can’t contain their anger and they share the grievances about the other parent with the children. As one can imagine, an already tense situation can quickly escalate as slang words, accusations and threats are thrown around in the household. No child wants or needs to hear their mother portrayed by vulgar names or their father referred to as nothing but a loser, which unfortunately can be a common occurrence for many children caught in the middle of their parents divorce or breakup.

When determining child custody an Ohio court will consider the willingness and ability of each of the parents to encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship with the other. Some courts consider parental alienation a form of child abuse. Parenal alienation and malicious parent issues absolutely impact the way the court looks at custody cases.  The Ohio General Assembly has found that the parent and child relationship is of fundamental importance to the welfare of a child, and that the relationship between a child and each parent should be fostered unless inconsistent with the child’s best interest.

Parent alienation Syndrome and Malicious Parent Syndrome are not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as actual syndromes.  A Divorce or Custody case in Ohio based solely on the issues of parental alienation and a malicious parent fails to take into the consideration the other factors involved with the best interest of the children. The best interest of the children is the court’s sole focus. Any parental alienation or malicioius parent issues are only part of the case. Parties are best to focus on the best interest of the children which can include evidence of alienation or malicious parent.

It is well settled that a custodial parent’s interference with visitation by a noncustodial parent may be considered a ‘change of circumstances’ which would allow for a modification of custody. See Holm v. Smilowitz (1992), 83 Ohio App.3d 757 [615 N.E.2d 1047].

Parents can steps to help their children grow to maturity free of worry about their parents issues.

Parental Alienation Ohio Law: R. A. Parish Law, LLC

R. A. Parish Law, LLC can help you untangle the truth if you believe you are experiencing parental alienation and a malicious other parent.  Contact R. A. Parish Law, LLC today for a free consultation at (614) 407-0443.