New Jersey courts now recognize how parental alienation affects custody decisions. Parental alienation happens when one parent turns a child against the other parent without good reason. This behavior can harm the child’s well-being and their relationship not only with the other parent but with other people as well.
Putting Children First
New Jersey family courts focus on what’s best for the child when deciding custody. They look at how well parents work together and talk to each other. If they suspect parental alienation, judges may ask for a mental health expert to check the situation.
Courts recognize that children thrive when they have strong relationships with both parents and that parental alienation can lead to lasting emotional scars.
Dealing with parental alienation
New Jersey courts can use several methods to handle parental alienation. They can:
- Require parents to take co-parenting classes
- Assign a parenting coordinator
- Order supervised visits
- Change custody arrangements
In extreme cases, courts might give custody to the alienated parent or separate the child from the alienating parent for a while.
New Jersey courts take claims of parental alienation seriously. However, they know that not all claims are valid. They carefully review each case to tell the difference between fundamental alienation and a child’s justified fear due to abuse or neglect.
Getting help
When dealing with custody disputes, parents should actively document any suspected cases of parental alienation and seek guidance from professionals when necessary. The disadvantaged parent can ask the court for help by filing a petition to prevent parental alienation from causing long-term damage.