Maryland Attorneys for Parental Alienation

Maryland courts strive to give both parents meaningful parenting time whenever possible when they part ways due to divorce or separation. However, in some cases, a parent may become bitter during a custody dispute and try to turn the child against the other parent. This is when parental alienation can occur. Parental alienation can have a detrimental impact on the parent-child relationship — and courts take these matters very seriously when determining child custody matters.

If your child’s other parent is attempting to isolate your child from you, or you’ve been accused of parental alienation, it’s important to have a skillful child custody attorney by your side. At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, we understand the emotional turmoil you may be experiencing in connection with your child custody issue. Our attorneys are committed to advocating for your parental rights and dedicated to ensuring the best interests of your child are met.

What is Parental Alienation?

In the event you are involved in a custody dispute, you may be wondering, “what is parental alienation?” and whether the other parent’s conduct rises to this level. Parental alienation refers to harmful behaviors used by one parent to isolate the child from the other parent. It can be carried out through words or conduct — and significantly impact a child’s emotional wellbeing. These situations can happen during divorces or custody battles where one parent tries to get revenge on the other or gain the upper hand.

Common tactics used by the alienating parent can include:

• Manipulating the child to reject the other parent
• Bad mouthing or making negative comments about the other parent
• Lying or gaslighting to create a negative image of the other parent
• Forcing the child to take sides
• Preventing the child from having contact with the other parent
• Making the child feel guilty for wanting to spend time with the other parent
• Convincing the child that the other parent does not love them

One of the difficulties with parental alienation is the use of actual facts and events in these tactics, but exaggerating the situation or consequences for the child. Regardless of whether parental alienation is intentional or unintentional, it can have a negative long-term effect on a child. It can impact their self-esteem, impair their ability to form relationships, cause trust issues, and result in anxiety and depression. While short-term effects can include behavioral, emotional, and academic issues, the psychological impact of parental alienation can also lead to problems in adulthood — such as increased risk of substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and vulnerability to mental health disorders.

Whether you are the parent facing an accusation of parental alienation or the parent who is being affected by it, the child custody attorneys at Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield will evaluate the facts of your case and assist you with strategies for addressing the alienation and for gathering the evidence that will help prove your position in court. Evidence in these matters can typically include communication records, witness testimony, and psychological evaluations. Our legal team will work closely with you to ensure you know how to document your case and take the steps necessary to achieve a positive outcome.

How Does Parental Alienation Affect Custody?

Although the term “parental alienation” isn’t specifically included in any Maryland statute, a judge would consider parental conduct that causes emotional or physical harm to a child when deciding a custody matter. Importantly, the standard that is applied in custody cases is the “best interest of the child.” Courts evaluate a variety of statutory factors to determine what serves the child’s wellbeing.

One of the factors a judge would consider when determining the best interest of the child is each parent’s willingness to encourage the child to have a relationship with the other parent. If a court finds that a parent is resistant to facilitating the other’s involvement or refuses to allow the child to see the other parent, this could have an adverse impact on their custody case. If there is a pattern of conduct that would be deemed parental alienation, a judge might render a custody decision in favor of the non-alienating parent.

At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, we will discuss all the potential remedies that may be available to you, which can include requesting a modification to the existing custody agreement or petitioning for sole custody. Our attorneys will also assess whether an alternative dispute resolution method might be appropriate to resolve your custody dispute, such as mediation or the collaborative process. However, if resolving the matter outside the courtroom is not possible, our custody attorneys have the skill and acumen necessary to fight for your rights in litigation.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Parental Alienation Attorney

No matter how contentious you and your child’s other parent are, it’s crucial to put your child’s best interest first and foremost. Your children love both of you and deserve to have a bond with each parent. At Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C., our child custody attorneys will work to help you reach a favorable outcome in your custody case for both you and your children. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help.