When a married couple divorces and child custody is an issue, the process can become very contentious. An all to frequent symptom is parental alienation, a behavior that one or both parents may engage in to win the favor of the child in question. For more than 35 years, Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law has been representing clients throughout the Rochester area in divorce and child custody cases; and also offers services as a criminal defense, bankruptcy, and DWI attorney.

Here Attorney Corletta shares three facts about parental alienation:

Parental Alienation - What It Is…And Isn't: Parental alienation is when one parent persuades a child, subtly or directly, into favoring that parent over the opposing one. It is essentially a child picking sides after being persuaded or directed to do so by a parent. Some children will naturally prefer the company of one parent over another. This is not parental alienation as the child has not been pressured. For some, it can be a fine line. If you're dealing with parental alienation, a family law lawyer will help you make sense of this behavior. Usually, the child will also have a Court-appointed attorney that will act to express the child’s wishes.

There Are Legal Solutions To Parental Alienation: Parental alienation is a serious matter, and can be destructive to a parent/child relationship. It can be difficult to prove without placing the child in the middle. When the offending behavior has been proven, the courts can provide certain relief. This might include court-ordered therapy for parents and child(ren) or appointment of a lawyer to protect the child’s interests. There can also be supervised visits, and in extreme situations, suspension of visits. Courts take a dim view of parental alienation and often remove custody from the offending parent.

Parental Alienation Is Often Noticeable: Signs of parental alienation can be noticeable. An example might be hearing a parent tell a child he/she loves the child more than the other parent or wants to spend more time with the child than the other parent. However, this is often difficult to prove because it is often coming directly from the child, who is in the middle, and when confronted, the offending parent denies it. Other examples might be the child not wanting to visit with the “alienated” parent, or the offending parent interfering with the “alienated” parent’s visitation. Attorney Corletta understands the contentious nature of these situations, and is experienced in handling them with professionalism and the goal of maintaining your relationship with your child.

Call Rochester's Thomas A. Corletta, Attorney at Law at (585) 546-5072 or visit his website to schedule a free initial family law consultation. Don't get caught up in the ugliness of parental alienation; let Attorney Corletta fight for you, your rights, and the security of your family.