Warning Signs Of Parental Alienation In San Jose Child Custody Cases
For parents, child custody is one of the most disputed issues during a breakup. In a California divorce, the court generally encourages child time-sharing or joint custody arrangements.
Having both parents involved in their lives is generally considered in the child’s best interests. However, bitterness over what happened can cause one parent to attempt to turn the child against the other, known as parental alienation. Our child custody attorney San Jose explains common warning signs and how to protect yourself and your child in this situation.
Warning Signs Of Parental Alienation In San Jose Child Custody Cases
Marriages deteriorate for a variety of different reasons. You and your partner may have grown apart over the years, have differences in outlooks on life, or they may have engaged in adultery or other marital misconduct. Regardless of the reason, choosing to end the relationship is never easy, particularly when children are involved.
Child custody in San Jose is automatically addressed when filing for a divorce through the Santa Clara County Family Court. Child time-sharing arrangements, otherwise known as joint custody, are generally encouraged and considered in the child’s best interests. However, bitterness and anger on the part of one of the spouses can make carrying out these arrangements more difficult.
Parental alienation can happen when one parent attempts to turn the child against the other or otherwise tries to poison their relationship. Warning signs of parental alienation in a San Jose divorce include:
- Your former partner is outspoken about their bitter feelings, takes a combative approach to San Jose child custody proceedings, or refuses to cooperate in legal processes.
- They are outspoken in blaming you for problems in the relationship or the breakup and badmouth you in front of the child.
- They criticize and refuse to follow established school, homework, or bedtime schedules you have in place at home.
- They encourage your child not to listen and to actively rebel against you.
Protecting Yourself And Your Child Against Parental Alienation In California
While the California Family Code generally encourages joint custody, attempts at parental alienation are not tolerated by the court and could jeopardize the parenting rights of the at-fault party. Take these precautions to protect yourself and your child in this situation:
- Make your attorney aware of disputes between you and your spouse that could impact child custody proceedings;
- Make them aware of ways the other parent either neglected the child in the past or acted against their best interests;
- Once a formal child custody order is in place, adhere to all terms;
- If attempts at parental alienation or other types of bad behavior happen, get legal help right away.
Contact Our San Jose Child Custody Attorney Today
Parental alienation can have serious impacts on you, your child, and your relationship with them. To make it stop, request a consultation at Argyris Mah, LLP. We can request custody modifications and take other legal actions to prevent it. Contact our San Jose child custody attorney today.
Sources:
santaclara.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-division
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=FAM&division=8.&title=&part=&chapter=&article=
