Is Parental Alienation After a Divorce Real? 

 Posted on August 05, 2024 in Child Custody

Few people get through divorce without some emotional bumps and scrapes along the way. Dividing a shared life almost always involves serious disagreement, especially if spouses share minor children and even more so if spouses are angry at each other for perceived misbehavior.  Despite their frustrations with their former spouses, most adults can see the situation rationally enough to understand that they should not be burdening their children with the drama, anger, and resentment of adult dynamics during and after a divorce. 

Some people, however, cannot or will not protect their children from these difficult behaviors, while others actively use their children as a way to exact revenge after a nasty divorce. At Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC, when our clients suspect their former spouses are turning their children against them, we take these concerns seriously. Not every suspicion turns out to be true, but if your ex is trying to alienate your child from you, you need to take action – fast. Read this blog to learn more about parental alienation and then call our experienced team of Texas child custody attorneys to find out what your options may be. 

What is Parental Alienation? 

Perhaps surprisingly, some people strongly believe that parental alienation is not an issue of great concern in post-divorce parent-child dynamics, perhaps because there is no official definition of what parental alienation is. However, few people would deny that the behaviors commonly associated with the term parental alienation often occur in families where parents had a hostile relationship followed by a bitter divorce. Such behaviors include when a parent: 

• Points out to a child how terrible the other parent is at parenting

• Tells a child what a terrible person the other parent is in general

• Deliberately schedules fun activities during the other parent’s visitation time

• Actively interferes with the child’s ability to see the other parent, including via electronic means like phone calls 

• Discusses sensitive or inappropriate details of a marriage or divorce with a child

• Undermines the child’s ability to have a warm relationship with the other parent’s extended family 

Although children often exhibit behavioral issues after divorce, signs of parental alienation may include a child who:

• Suddenly becomes sullen, sassy, or rude with only one parent

• Shares information that only the parents should know

• Repeats phrases denigrating one parent that the other parent is familiar with 

• Does not want to visit with one parent at all 

• Will not come to the phone when one parent calls 

How is Parental Alienation Handled in Texas? 

While parental alienation is not clearly defined in or against the law per se, Texas judges are very much concerned that children of divorced parents have a custody agreement that is in the best interests of each child. Furthermore, one of the factors that judges consider when making decisions about child custody is whether one or both parents are acting in ways that negatively affect a child’s well-being. 

If one parent is deliberately undermining the other parent’s relationship with a child, the courts do not look kindly upon such behaviors. If you are in this situation, you will likely need to initiate a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) and a guardian ad litem or custody evaluator may need to be involved. 

However, it is absolutely necessary that claims of parental alienation are made truthfully and with as much evidence as possible to back them up. If you are certain that your ex is trying to turn your child against you, start writing down details and collect any evidence you can that supports your belief. Then contact an attorney. 

Get in Touch with our Austin, TX Child Custody Lawyers Now

Parental alienation is real, and it is very important that you take it seriously if you suspect it is happening to your child. Nothing less than the future of your relationship with your child could be at stake. At Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC, our Travis County, TX family lawyers are highly experienced in complex child custody cases and we fight for every parent to have the best possible relationship with his or her child. Call us today at 512-610-6199 to schedule your initial consultation.