A divorce and child custody case is an emotionally fraught process that’s distressing even under the best-case scenario of an amicable divorce with equal custody of the children. Unfortunately, it’s more common for disputes to arise when spouses negotiate their child-custody and parenting-time agreement. But what happens when one parent deliberately sabotages the other by intentionally putting emotional barriers between the other parent and their children?
If you believe your children’s other parent is intentionally alienating you from your children, you need experienced legal representation from a Denver child custody attorney and prompt action to protect your children’s best interests and your legal rights. Call Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., to learn more about your legal options.
The child custody attorneys at Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. have over 100 years of combined experience in all aspects of Colorado divorce and child custody cases. With our firm on your side, you can expect the following:
No one should have to worry about their ex-spouse using manipulative tactics to isolate them from their children and their children’s affection. An attorney from Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. is ready to help.
Emotions often turn heated during divorce and child custody cases in Denver and elsewhere. Some parents try to exert control during a child custody case by manipulating their child’s attention and affection away from the other parent. They may engage in these actions because they feel that it gives them an advantage in their custody case, or to punish their spouse for perceived wrongs.
Examples of tactics used for parental alienation include the following:
Parental alienation has devastating effects on all involved, including long-term adverse emotional impacts on the children and the alienated parent, and often legal consequences for the parent engaging in intentional parental alienation tactics.
When one parent intentionally alienates the other parent from their child’s life and affection, it has serious negative consequences. Psychological studies show long-term impacts on a child who experienced the alienation of one parent by the other, with effects such as higher instances of anxiety disorders, trauma responses, difficulties forming lasting relationships, and substance abuse. Short-term consequences are often more immediately recognizable in parental alienation cases, including:
The effects of alienation on the targeted parent are also emotionally devastating, often leaving the alienated parent feeling isolated, frustrated, and depressed. It’s also common for an alienated parent to become anxious and angry.
Because Colorado courts uphold the standard of making all decisions in the child’s best interest, they begin each case with the presumption that continued close contact with both parents is ideal. However, this is a rebuttable presumption, meaning that one parent may present evidence indicating otherwise.
Under C.R.S. § 14-10-124, an important aspect of child custody decisions in Colorado is each parent’s willingness to encourage their child’s continued close relationship with their other parent. Parental alienation tactics reveal the opposite motive. Further, the court considers parental alienation a form of emotional abuse. An emotionally abusive parent does not provide a safe, nurturing environment for a child.
When one parent shows compelling evidence that the other is engaging in parental alienation, it could result in the following, depending on the evidence and the severity of the alienating parent’s actions:
The parent engaging in parental alienation could also face criminal contempt of court charges, with possible fines and jail time if the behavior violates child custody orders and the other parent’s visitation or parenting time.
When one parent becomes the victim of parental alienation by the other parent, it’s crucial to act quickly to mitigate long-term negative emotional outcomes for the children. The court requires compelling evidence proving that one parent’s actions rise to the level of purposeful parental alienation. Evidence in Denver parental alienation cases often includes the following:
The court does not limit or restrict a parent’s contact with their child lightly. A case requires clear and concise evidence supporting one parent’s claim that the other is using parental alienation tactics.
Parental alienation is a serious legal and emotional matter. If you’ve become the target of parental alienation by your child’s other parent, it’s crucial to take fast legal action to protect your rights and the best interests of your children. Call Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., or contact us online for prompt, assertive legal representation.
