Sussex County Parental Alienation

Families in Sussex County, New Jersey are neither immune from divorce or separation nor from the effects that these traumatic events can cause. Both parents and children alike may experience various emotions and personal difficulties once spouses have determined to end their marriage or partners to separate from one another. When parents have divorced or separated from one another, the nature of each parent’s relationship with any child or children they may have in common will undoubtedly change. When parents in this situation work cooperatively with one another and put the interests of their child or children first, the child may experience little disruption in his or her life. This, however, does not always happen.

Following a divorce, one parent may feel the need to attempt to disrupt the child’s relationship with the other parent. Whether motivated by fear, insecurity, jealousy, or some other emotion, these efforts aimed at parental alienation routinely cause considerable harm to both the parent being alienated and the child – and often with little, if any, legitimate reason. If you believe you are the victim of parental alienation in Sussex County, call Aretsky Law Group, P.C. right away to fight back.

Parental alienation may take many forms and may even appear to third parties and outsiders as innocuous – even “good” – parental behavior. Telling a child that his or her father has a history of alcoholism and to “be careful” when around him (for example) or constantly inquiring about the character of the child’s mother’s new partners can cause the child to internally question whether his or her mother and/or father are individuals to be honored, respected, and obeyed.

Parental alienation can also come about through activities and behaviors such as:

• Denying the child the opportunity to speak with the other parent between visitation periods or screening what the child says to the other parent;
• Not permitting the other parent to give gifts to the child or do special acts for the child (such as take the child on vacation);
• Causing the child to experience guilt or shame for enjoying the company of the other parent or speaking positively about the other parent; and/or
• Restraining or preventing the child from visiting with the other parent or refusing to encourage the child to regularly visit with the other parent and develop a relationship with him or her.

In most cases, some of the first signs that parental alienation efforts are afoot include a “distance” between the parent and the child. The child may seem distant during conversation or may appear to be more closed off with the parent than the child once was. Mitigating the damage that parental alienation efforts can cause requires prompt intervention, so it is important that you do not ignore or brush off signs that your child is becoming more distant from you. Investigate the matter and, if appropriate, take legal action.

In Sussex County, judges presiding over divorce or child custody cases may make reference to New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 9:2-4. This statute guides the decisions that family law judges in Sussex County make when they are faced with a case that involves the care and custody of a child. Like other states, judges in New Jersey are supposed to make decisions regarding a child’s placement, custody, and visitation that promote the child’s “best interests.” This statute holds that the state legislature believes the child’s best interests are served when both of the child’s parents are able to participate and be involved in the child’s life and upbringing. This, in turn, means that most every judge will take action to stop parental alienation when they are presented with evidence suggesting that it is taking place. Actions that the court may take include sanctioning the perpetrator with fines or (in extreme cases) incarceration for a period of time and/or alteration of the existing custody orders and visitation schedule.

Obtaining this sort of relief in Sussex County requires you, the victim of parental alienation, to come forward with evidence and testimony that proves the other parent to your child is, in fact, engaged in a course of conduct designed to alienate your child’s affections from you. Evidence such as text messages, e-mails, or traditional letters and/or the testimony of yourself, neighbors, and other family members who may be aware of the situation may be necessary to prove your case. Aretsky Law Group, P.C. will assist you in locating and presenting compelling proof of the other parent’s parental alienation efforts.

Aretsky Law Group, P.C. is standing by and ready to assist you in taking action against parental alienation efforts in your case. Call us today for assistance by dialing 800-537-4154 and scheduling a consultation at our Sparta meeting location by appointment only.