Co-parenting after a divorce or breakup is difficult. Even those who truly desire to do what is best for their children may have a difficult time controlling their own emotions. When one parent is combative towards the other, custody matters can quickly become quite messy.
Although there is a presumption that parents should cooperate with one another to do what is in the best interests of their children, some parents let their selfish personal grudges dictate how they comport themselves. There are parents who intentionally try to interfere with the relationship that their children have with their other parent. Parental alienation involves one parent trying to harm the bond that the other has with the children that they share. The following types of evidence could help someone prove to the family courts that parental alienation is occurring.
Threatening messages
A surprising number of people who intend to interfere in the relationship that their co-parent has with their children announce that decision. They may threaten their co-parent by telling them that they won’t be able to see or spend time with their children during an argument over email, via text message or on a social media platform. Records of digital communications or witnesses who overheard verbal threats can help corroborate someone’s claim that their co-parent wants to damage their relationship with their children.
Records of canceled visits
A custody order typically includes a specific breakdown of how much time each adult should receive with the children. When one parent repeatedly denies the other time with the children or reduces parenting time, records of that intentional interference can help show the courts that there is a pattern of interference. Canceled or shortened parenting sessions not followed by make-up parenting time can be proof that one parent has intentionally interfered in the relationship that the other maintains with the children.
Details about disparaging talk
Parental alienation doesn’t just involve a reduction of someone’s time with the children. It often also includes attempts to undermine the emotional connection between the parent and children. Parental alienation can involve one parent talking quite negatively about the other. They may try to blame the other parent for the divorce or accuse them of numerous different types of misconduct.
The more evidence that someone has of parental alienation, the better their chances of getting the courts to take action on their behalf. Parents facing alienation attempts can obtain make-up parenting time and may also sometimes be eligible for a custody modification that grants them more time with and decision-making authority over their children.