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 Kentucky, parental alienation is recognized as a serious issue that can impact child custody decisions. The state's family courts consider the best interests of the child as the paramount concern in custody cases, and evidence of parental alienation could be seen as contrary to those interests. Parental alienation involves one parent manipulating a child to reject the other parent, which can harm the child's emotional well-being. Kentucky law does not have a specific statute that defines parental alienation, but it is addressed under the broader scope of child custody considerations. When 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 classes to address the issue. Attorneys representing parents in custody disputes should present any evidence of parental alienation to the court, as it can significantly affect the outcome of the case.