Parental Alienation
5 Sep 2021 | Claire AndrewsSometimes, a child may turn against one of their parents due to the other parent’s manipulation or influence. This is known as parental alienation. Early intervention is essential to restore a healthy relationship before the child’s feelings become entrenched.
What is parental alienation?
While there is no official definition of parental alienation, it occurs when a child rejects one parent due to the manipulation or influence of the other parent. Tactics may be deliberate or unintentional and can take several different forms, including:
- Saying negative things about the parent in front of the child
- Encouraging the child to take sides
- Making the child believe their parent does not love them or does not want to see them
- Making the child feel guilty for wanting to spend time with the other parent
- Not allowing contact between the parent and child
- Encouraging defiance towards the other parent
- Making the child believe the parent is dangerous or untrustworthy
- Failing to share important information about the child
What are the signs of parental alienation?
Sometimes, the signs of parental alienation can be very subtle. Other times, they are blatant. For example, the child may suddenly be reluctant to see their parent, even if they were previously very close. They may start saying things in adult language that could only have come from the alienating parent. Or they may withdraw, making it hard for you to figure out what is happening.
It’s important to remember that just because a child suddenly starts avoiding you or being hostile towards you does not mean they are a victim of parental alienation. Children can be fickle – they may naturally express a preference for one parent over the other, show obstinacy or assert their independence.
But if you feel that the child’s rejection of you is unjustified and something else is going on, it’s important to seek advice from a solicitor. A family lawyer can guide you on whether the child is being exposed to alienating behaviour and help you take the appropriate action.
What should I do if I think I am being alienated?
Because parental alienation cases are complex, your solicitor will gather evidence before deciding whether parental alienation may be an issue in your case. For example, they may refer you to a psychologist specialising in parental alienation. Their report will help determine whether the matter can be resolved informally or whether you need to make an application to the Family Court.
The nature of the application will depend on your family’s situation. Typically, it will involve making a Child Arrangements Order to determine who the child will live with and spend time with. Your solicitor may also seek a Prohibited Steps Order or a Specific Issue Order to stop the alienating behaviour.
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) supports children in Family Court cases. Once a court application is made, Cafcass will work with the child to identify alienating behaviours. If needed, they will order expert assessments by a social worker, psychiatrist or psychologist and report their findings and recommendations to the Court.
What can the court do about parental alienation?
Each case of parental alienation is different. While a child should always be allowed to have a loving relationship with both parents, the court will look at the family’s individual circumstances when deciding how best to make that happen. The child’s welfare is paramount, and the court will make decisions in the child’s best interests.
The orders the court can make include:
- Providing for therapy for the child, parents or whole family to help rebuild relationships
- Changing residence from one parent to the other
- Imposing restrictions on contact arrangements
- Warning the alienating parent that they may be fined or sent to prison if they continue with the alienating behaviour
- In particularly serious cases, getting the Local Authority involved, which in some circumstances could lead to care proceedings
How Osbornes Law can help
If you believe parental alienation is happening, acting quickly when the relationship can be rescued is important. Research shows there can be lasting emotional and psychological harm to children subject to parental alienation.
Osbornes Law has one of the UK’s most experienced family law teams and is here to support you at this difficult time. We are members of Resolution, an organisation that promotes the constructive resolution of family law matters. Wherever possible, we can help you resolve parental alienation issues without having to step foot in court.
We also have extensive experience representing individuals in Family Court proceedings. When court action is necessary, we will ensure that all alienating behaviours are properly investigated and considered before the court makes any decisions, ensuring the best outcome for your child and your family.
Share this article
Contact
"Claire Andrews is an associate to watch. Tenacious, diligent, professional and astute. She is very impressive."
News & InsightsVIEW ALL
- 28.11.2023
What is Spousal Maintenance ?
Spousal Maintenance Spousal maintenance is a legal obligation to provide financial support to a former spouse after the marriage or...
Read more - 23.11.2023
Osbornes Law has been rated as Outstanding Place...
Launched in 2001 Best Companies to Work For Lists and Best Companies Accreditation are now recognised as the standard in workplace...
Read more - 23.11.2023
Accident at work claim settled for Hungarian factory...
Forklift trucks are a common cause of warehouse injury claims due to human error on the part of the forklift...
Read more - 23.11.2023
Maternity Negligence Claim against Bradford Teaching Hospitals
Osbornes acted for a Claimant, C, in her birth negligence claim against Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for maternity...
Read more - 17.11.2023
Public Law Working Group Interim Report on Adoption...
Time for change? A recent interim report has been published by the Public Law Working Group Adoption Sub-Group (‘the Group’)...
Read more - 8.11.2023
Leasehold update: A new Leasehold and Freehold Bill...
Yesterday, 7th November 2023, in the King’s Speech we heard the following: “My Ministers will bring forward a bill to...
Read more - 3.11.2023
Deed of Variation to a Will
Deed of Variation to a Will After someone dies, it is possible for the beneficiaries to change the way the...
Read more - 2.11.2023
6th Consecutive ‘Times Best Law Firm’ Ranking for...
Osbornes Law has been ranked in The Times Best Law Firm Guide for the sixth consecutive year. The guide is...
Read more - 31.10.2023
Constructive Trusts
Property rights are not always clear-cut. Sometimes, a person who does not legally own a property could be entitled to...
Read more - 31.10.2023
Forged Wills
If the contents of a will comes as a surprise, then one of the things to consider is whether the...
Read more - 30.10.2023
What is a Conditional Order?
The introduction of no-fault divorces in England and Wales removed the need to assign blame for the breakdown of a...
Read more - 29.10.2023
What is a consent order?
Most divorcing couples agree on how their finances will be divided without going to court. A consent order is what...
Read more - 27.10.2023
The Building Safety Act 2022
This much awaited Act was introduced into Parliament on 5th May 2021 as a consequence of the Hackitt Report on Building...
Read more - 26.10.2023
Six-Figure Compensation for Victim of Reckless Scooter Driver
Siobhan McIvor, accredited Personal Injury Solicitor and Partner at Osbornes Law, has settled a case at a Settlement Meeting with...
Read more - 26.10.2023
Cycling Accident Claims: Client Stories
£65,000 Compensation for Cyclist knocked Over by Reckless Driver Megan Lambert recently settled a claim for an injured cyclist in the...
Read more - 24.10.2023
Six-figure Settlement for Pedestrian Injured at Traffic Lights
Our client was a 68 year old homeless Polish National who was knocked over on a traffic light controlled crossing. He...
Read more - 6.10.2023
Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner dispute where their children...
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas are reportedly at loggerheads over which country their two young daughters should grow up in....
Read more - 28.9.2023
Gatekept homeless teenager accommodated by local housing authority
Miss X, a 17 year old whose details are anonymised to protect her privacy, left her family home in March 2022 following...
Read more - 28.9.2023
Homelessness case successfully settled for elderly disabled lady
Ms X, whose details are anonymised to protect her privacy, had been living in a privately rented one-bedroom flat for...
Read more - 28.9.2023
Disrepair case against Landlord and Freeholder successfully settled
Osbornes Law represented a private tenant who lived with his young son. The property suffered from severe disrepair including leaking/...
Read more - 28.9.2023
Client successfully rehoused following refusal by local authority
Osbornes Law represented a client who had been found intentionally homeless by his local authority. He was extremely vulnerable and...
Read more - 28.9.2023
Client rehoused and £16,000 arrears cleared
Osbornes Law were instructed to assist a client to suspend a warrant for possession. The client had fallen into arrears...
Read more - 26.9.2023
Victory for Homeless Victim
Mr X, whose details are anonymised to protect his privacy, fled his home country due to severe persecution from the...
Read more - 21.9.2023
Large Compensation for Delayed Laryngeal Cancer Diagnosis
Actress receives financial award after life-changing missed cancer diagnosis. Jodi Newton acted for a client who was belatedly diagnosed with...
Read more