Four Things To Know About Parental Alienation In Texas
Nothing should come between you and your relationship with your kid(s). Certainly, you should not have to deal with a co-parent who is intentionally undermining that relationship. A person who knowingly and/or recklessly tries to turn a child against a parent may be responsible for parental alienation. There are remedies available for parental alienation in Texas. In this article, our firm highlights four things to know about parental alienation in Texas.
- Parental Alienation Can Be a Form of Emotional Abuse
Parental alienation is a term used to describe a situation in which someone knowingly and intentionally tries to undermine a parent’s relationship with a child. Most often, the co-parent is responsible for parental alienation. Though, other parties—grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.—could also play a role. As explained in a study in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), parental alienation can be a form of emotional child abuse. A convenient link to the article may be found here:
https://www.ncsc.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/42152/parental_alienation_Lewis.pdf
- Texas Has No Parental Alienation Statute
There are some states with specific legal statutes for parental alienation. However, Texas has no such statute. In fact, Texas also does not have a clear standard for what constitutes parental alienation. Instead, family courts in Texas consider the totality of the circumstances in parental alienation claims. It is still possible for parents who have had their relationship with their child damaged by bad faith conduct by their co-parent to get justice.
- A Parent Can Seek a Legal Remedy for Alienation
If you believe that your co-parent or any other party is intentionally undermining your relationship with your child, it is imperative that you take immediate action to protect your parental rights and the well-being of your kid. You have a right to seek a legal remedy for parental alienation. Indeed, in Texas, a parent can petition for a child custody modification or child visitation modification on the grounds of alienation. As parental alienation fundamentally harms a child, it can justify a change in the current custody & visitation arrangement (conservatorship & possession and access).
- Texas Courts Must Protect the Best Interests of the Child
The rights and interests of parents are secondary in Texas. Our state’s family law courts are tasked with protecting the best interests of the child in any custody cases. For parents seeking a legal remedy for parental alienation, it is crucial that they are prepared to present a strong case that shows that the actions of the co-parent or other parties are harming the child’s best interests. Remember, parental alienation can be considered a form of emotional child abuse.
At Lindamood & Robinson, P.C., we have the skills and experience to handle complex parental alienation claims. If you have any specific questions or concerns about parental alienation, we are here as a legal resource. Contact us today for a completely confidential case assessment. Our family law firm represents parents throughout all of Harris County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, including in League City, Baytown, Texas City, La Marque, Friendswood, and Dickinson.
