Parental Alienation

Parental alienation is when one parent acts in ways that damage or undermine a child’s relationship with the other parent. This can happen during a divorce, throughout a custody dispute, or even after a parenting time arrangement has been established. The effects can be serious, both for the child and for the parent being pushed out of the relationship. Michigan courts are guided by the best interests of the child, which includes preserving healthy relationships with both parents when appropriate. If you believe the other parent is interfering with your bond with your child, understanding your legal options is an important place to start.

What Does Parental Alienation Look Like?

Parental alienation does not always follow the same pattern. From subtle behaviors to more direct interference, there are many ways it can occur. Common examples may include:

• Speaking negatively about you in front of your child
• Blaming you for the divorce or custody dispute
• Discouraging or blocking phone calls, texts, or visits
• Interfering with scheduled parenting time
• Pressuring the child to reject or fear the other parent
• Withholding information about school events, medical appointments, or activities
• Encouraging the child to keep secrets from you

These behaviors are not always easy to prove, but patterns of interference can be documented and brought to the court’s attention.

How Can Parental Alienation Affect Families?

The impact of parental alienation goes beyond the courtroom. When a child is caught between two parents, the emotional toll can be significant and lasting. Families may experience:

• Emotional harm to the child, including anxiety, confusion, or withdrawal
• A weakened bond between the child and the targeted parent
• Increased conflict between co-parents that makes cooperation difficult
• Instability in existing custody and parenting time arrangements
• Long-term tension that can follow the child into adulthood

Michigan courts generally favor arrangements that allow children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents. When one parent works against that, the consequences extend well beyond any single custody hearing.

What Can Happen if a Parent Is Found to Be Alienating the Child?

Michigan courts take interference with parenting time seriously. While every case depends on the specific facts and circumstances, there are several ways the court may respond if alienating behavior is established, such as:

• The court may weigh the behavior when making custody and parenting time decisions
• Existing parenting time orders may be modified to better protect the child’s relationship with both parents
• The alienating parent may be ordered to comply with court directives or attend counseling
• Repeated interference may factor into how the court evaluates the child’s best interests going forward
• In some situations, the court may impose remedies specifically designed to restore the parent-child relationship

The goal of the court is not to punish, but to protect the child’s well-being and preserve a stable, healthy environment.

How Can Robbins & Licavoli Help?

Parental alienation cases require careful, strategic legal representation. Robbins & Licavoli work with parents to:

• Evaluate whether the facts in your situation may support a custody or parenting time action
• Help document patterns of interference in a clear, organized way
• Seek enforcement or modification of existing court orders where appropriate
• Advocate for arrangements that reflect the best interests of your child
• Provide experienced legal guidance through what can be an emotionally difficult process

Every family’s situation is different, and the approach taken should reflect your unique circumstances.

Combat Parental Alienation with The Law Offices of Robbins & Licavoli

If you believe parental alienation is negatively impacting your relationship with your child, it is important to speak with a Michigan family law attorney as soon as possible. Legal representation can make a massive difference in how your case develops. Contact the Law Offices of Robbins & Licavoli to discuss your rights and learn what steps may be available to you.