Parental alienation is a parent’s use of psychological manipulation to turn a child or children against the other parent. This toxic behavior is damaging and may cause long term problems for the child as well as the parents. Courts take evidence of parental alienation seriously and may consider it in making or modifying child custody arrangements.
In Connecticut, parental alienation is recognized as a serious issue that can impact child custody decisions. Parental alienation involves one parent manipulating a child to reject the other parent, which can harm the child's emotional well-being. Connecticut courts prioritize the best interests of the child in custody cases, and evidence of parental alienation could influence a judge's determination of what constitutes the child's best interests. If a court finds that one parent is guilty of alienation, it may result in a modification of custody or visitation rights to protect the child's relationship with both parents. The court may also order family therapy or parenting education classes to address the issue. It's important to note that allegations of parental alienation must be substantiated with credible evidence, as false claims can also be detrimental to the child and the parent-child relationship.