Is your spouse alienating your child from you? What can you do to stop the abuse and finally see your child again? Unlike other forms of abuse, particularly physical abuse, alienation does not leave physical marks or scars. So how can you get law enforcement involved if you have nothing to show as evidence of the alienation? Fortunately, while it may seem daunting, you do have some options. Below, we examine how to prove parental alienation, and what you can do to protect yourself.
How to Prove Parental Alienation Through Witnesses
There are three obvious parties that are direct witnesses in any case of alienation. The first party is the spouse conducting the alienation — the culprit. The second party is you — the victim. And the third party is your child. Each of these parties can help you prove parental alienation.
Teenager Witnesses
Unfortunately, older children, particularly teenagers, may not recognize parental alienation if the other parent has been doing it for years. They may simply see the alienating parent's actions as normal. The alienating parent literally brainwashes their child into ignoring their wrongdoing. In cases such as these, the only way to prove parental alienation is by relying on evidence rather than witness testimony from the child. Fortunately, not all cases involve brainwashed children. Furthermore, when a teenager has not yet been alienated, they can serve as a reliable witness. Because teenagers are more articulate and better understanding of their surroundings than younger child, your teenager can help provide great witness testimony that proves parental alienation.
Younger Children
Because younger children have a harder time understanding their surroundings, they make pick up things you or the other parent says or does. For example, they may not fully grasp what the alienating parent is trying to accomplish. So, during the interview process, that child may inadvertently expose the alienation through something he or she repeats from the alienating parent. This could be something the alienating parent tells the child in an attempt to disparage the other parent from them.
Other Witnesses
Separate from the parties mentioned above, other potential witnesses you can utilize to help prove parental alienation can include:
- Grandparents
- Uncles or aunts
- Brothers or sisters
- Close friends
- Nannies or caregivers
If any of the people above have spent a good portion of time with your child, then they can help attest to what the alienating parent has done. Furthermore, these people can also attest to what you child has said in reference to the alienation. Though, keep in mind that this "hearsay" is not always admissible in court.
How to Prove Parental Alienation Through Documentation
How do you prove parental alienation through documentation? See below.
Electronic Communication
Has you child said something that clearly shows your spouse's attempt to alienate them for you? Send your spouse a text or email that states what the child says and ask your spouse to explain it. Sure, your spouse could respond with a lie, however, more often than not, they're indirectly admit to something in the heat of the moment. Better yet, if they fail to respond, then their silence only further helps your case. Make sure to keep consistent documentation of everything your child says that proves the alienation. One or two isolated incidents here and there won't help your case. You must be vigilant and keep a record that clearly shows a history of the other parent's misconduct. At the very least, keeping this detailed documentation shows the court how seriously you're taking the situation.
Social Media Posts
In the age of technology, you'd be surprised by what people admit to doing on social media, especially Facebook or Instagram. Sometimes, an alienating parent may state an opinion of the other parent on social media, which the child then goes on to repeat. This would directly show a parent imposing their beliefs onto the child.
Learn More About How to Prove Parental Alienation
An experienced
Fresno family law attorney knows exactly what it takes to prove parental alienation. Since we strongly believe that parental alienation is a form of child abuse, we will work hard to defend your case. Contact the
Law Offices of Rick D. Banks today to learn more about how we can help.
